South Africa’s long-running struggle over immigration has entered a new and increasingly volatile phase, forcing President Cyril Ramaphosa to publicly address growing public anger over undocumented migration while warning against vigilante actions that risk fueling xenophobic violence.
In a nationally televised address on Sunday, Ramaphosa acknowledged mounting frustrations among many South Africans who believe illegal immigration is worsening economic hardship in a country already burdened by chronic unemployment, strained public services and deep social inequality. At the same time, he cautioned that frustrations over migration cannot justify attacks against foreign nationals or attempts by citizens to enforce immigration laws themselves.
His remarks came as anti-immigration groups continue organizing demonstrations across parts of the country and demand stronger government action against undocumented migrants. Some activist organizations have publicly called on foreigners living illegally in South Africa to leave by the end of June, while pressing authorities to adopt more aggressive enforcement measures.
The speech represented one of the clearest acknowledgments yet from South Africa’s leadership that immigration has become one of the country’s most politically sensitive issues.
“Many South Africans are raising difficult but legitimate questions,” Ramaphosa said during the address. “These concerns are real. They deserve to be heard, and they deserve to be addressed.”
Yet the president also drew a firm line against mob action.
“Only authorized government officials can act against violations of our law,” he said, warning that certain groups were inflaming tensions and encouraging confrontational behavior.
The debate unfolding in South Africa reflects broader anxieties that have simmered for years in the continent’s most industrialized economy. Despite possessing one of Africa’s largest and most diversified economies, South Africa continues to struggle with stubbornly high unemployment rates, particularly among young people. Millions remain trapped in poverty decades after the end of apartheid, and frustrations over economic opportunities have increasingly intersected with questions about immigration.
For many South Africans, migrants have become a visible symbol of broader economic challenges. Critics argue that undocumented foreign workers compete for scarce jobs, contribute to overcrowded public facilities and place additional pressure on already overstretched healthcare and education systems.
Migration advocates and human rights organizations, however, have repeatedly warned that foreigners are often being blamed for structural problems rooted in economic policy failures, inequality and weak public administration.
The tension between those competing narratives has periodically erupted into violence.
South Africa has experienced several waves of anti-immigrant unrest over the past two decades. One of the most notorious episodes occurred in 2008, when attacks targeting foreign nationals spread across multiple communities. More than 60 people were killed during the violence, according to international rights groups, while thousands were displaced from their homes.
Subsequent outbreaks of violence have continued to occur, though on a smaller scale, reinforcing concerns that anti-immigrant rhetoric can quickly escalate into physical attacks.
Recent developments suggest those fears are once again resurfacing.
According to reports from several African governments, citizens living in South Africa have increasingly faced threats, intimidation and, in some cases, deadly violence because of their nationality.
Officials from Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya and Mozambique have all recently raised concerns about the treatment of their citizens.
The government of Ghana announced last month that approximately 300 Ghanaians had returned home from South Africa amid what it described as growing threats against foreign nationals. Ghanaian authorities indicated that additional citizens may be offered assistance to leave if security concerns continue.
Mozambique has voiced even stronger concerns.
According to statements from Mozambican officials, five Mozambican citizens were killed in what the government characterized as xenophobic attacks in the coastal town of Mossel Bay on South Africa’s southern coast. The incidents have heightened diplomatic sensitivities and raised concerns about regional stability in southern Africa.
South Africa’s government has not officially categorized the Mossel Bay killings as xenophobic attacks, but the allegations have intensified scrutiny of conditions facing migrant communities.
The scale of migration into South Africa remains difficult to measure accurately.
No official figure exists for the number of undocumented migrants living in the country. Estimates vary significantly, with some analysts suggesting the number may range from 2 million to 5 million people within a national population of roughly 62 million.
Those figures remain politically contentious.
Supporters of stricter immigration controls often cite the higher estimates as evidence of a growing crisis, while researchers caution that reliable data is scarce and that many claims about migrant populations are based on assumptions rather than verified statistics.
What is beyond dispute is South Africa’s longstanding role as a destination for migrants across the continent.
For decades, people from neighboring Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Lesotho have crossed into South Africa seeking employment opportunities unavailable at home. Others have arrived from countries farther north, including Nigeria, Ghana, Ethiopia and Malawi.
Economic disparities within Africa have made South Africa a magnet for labor migration, particularly during periods of instability elsewhere on the continent.
The challenge for policymakers has been balancing economic realities with public perceptions.
Many businesses rely on migrant labor in sectors ranging from agriculture and construction to hospitality and informal trade. Yet public sentiment has increasingly shifted toward demands for tighter border controls and stronger enforcement.
That shift has become particularly visible since the formation of South Africa’s coalition government in 2024.
Immigration emerged as a central political issue during coalition negotiations, reflecting growing voter concerns about border security and undocumented migration.
Government officials say they have already intensified enforcement efforts.
According to Ramaphosa, authorities have deported more than 100,000 people over the past two years for violating immigration laws. He also stated that approximately 450,000 individuals attempting to enter South Africa without proper documentation had been stopped at border crossings during the past year alone.
Those figures were presented as evidence that the government is taking action, though critics argue enforcement remains inconsistent.
The president conceded that weaknesses existed in previous migration policies and acknowledged shortcomings in how authorities managed border security and immigration systems.
He promised what he described as decisive action moving forward.
However, Ramaphosa also appeared determined to prevent the immigration debate from becoming a source of social division.
South Africa’s democratic transition after apartheid was built on ideals of inclusion, constitutional rights and pan-African solidarity. The country has historically portrayed itself as a champion of African unity, offering support to liberation movements across the continent during previous decades.
The rise of anti-immigrant sentiment therefore presents a difficult challenge to that identity.
Political leaders must respond to legitimate public concerns about employment, service delivery and border management while avoiding rhetoric that could legitimize discrimination against foreigners.
That balancing act is becoming increasingly complicated.
Economic growth remains sluggish. Public finances are under pressure. Infrastructure challenges continue to affect electricity, transportation and municipal services. Communities frustrated by these conditions often seek immediate explanations for persistent hardship.
Migrants, particularly those lacking legal status, can become convenient targets.
Human rights organizations have repeatedly urged South African leaders to address misinformation surrounding immigration and to focus on broader economic reforms rather than allowing foreigners to become scapegoats for systemic problems.
At the same time, public pressure for stronger immigration controls shows little sign of fading.
The coming weeks may prove particularly important. Activist groups have identified June 30 as a symbolic deadline for undocumented migrants to leave the country, raising concerns that tensions could intensify if expectations for government action are not met.
For Ramaphosa, the challenge extends beyond border policy.
His administration must convince citizens that migration is being managed effectively while also demonstrating that South Africa remains committed to the rule of law and the protection of vulnerable communities.
The stakes are high.
South Africa’s economy remains deeply interconnected with the rest of the continent, and its relationships with neighboring countries are vital to regional stability. Any perception that foreign nationals are being systematically targeted risks damaging diplomatic ties and undermining South Africa’s standing as a regional leader.
As public debate grows louder, the government faces mounting pressure from multiple directions. Citizens want stronger enforcement. Neighboring governments want protection for their nationals. Human rights advocates want safeguards against discrimination.
Reconciling those demands may prove one of the most difficult political tests confronting Ramaphosa’s administration.
For now, the president’s message was clear: South Africa intends to tighten its approach to illegal migration, but it will not permit public frustration to become an excuse for violence.
Whether that message is enough to calm rising tensions remains uncertain.
