President Cyril Ramaphosa on Sunday, June 7, 2026, announced five key actions to address growing frustration around illegal immigration and recent protests against foreign nationals in South Africa. The announcement was made during a national address, as confirmed by the South African government news agency.
The five actions include: strengthening border management, enhancing the visa system, intensifying operations against illegal mining and undocumented migrants, improving coordination with neighboring countries, and launching a public awareness campaign on immigration laws. These measures aim to balance national security with South Africa's obligations as a signatory to international treaties.
Protests against foreign nationals have surged in recent weeks, particularly in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal provinces, with some incidents turning violent. Ramaphosa condemned the violence and called for calm, urging communities to report illegal activities through official channels.
The government plans to deploy additional personnel to border posts and use technology for better monitoring. The Department of Home Affairs will also expedite the processing of asylum applications and deportations of those found to be in the country illegally.
Ramaphosa emphasized that the actions are not xenophobic but aimed at enforcing the rule of law. The full implementation timeline is expected to be detailed by the Minister of Home Affairs in the coming weeks.
