Ramaphosa to Address the Nation on Immigration Issues as Tension Rises

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to address the nation on immigration issues, amid rising tensions and anti-immigrant protests. The government has faced criticism for its response to xenophobic violence, with critics arguing that prevention is weak, arrests are limited, and political rhetoric sometimes fuels tensions instead of easing them. The protests have resulted in the displacement of foreign migrants, with Mozambique saying five of its citizens were killed and hundreds are fleeing across the border. The government has announced plans to dispatch envoys across the African continent and to other parts of the world to address migration challenges facing the country. Ramaphosa has rejected the xenophobia label, describing migration pressures as a continental challenge that requires African-led solutions. The government has also warned against escalating anti-immigration protests, with Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni stating that 'there's nobody who's going to do a shutdown of this country, and we must be very clear about that.' The address is being announced amid calls from anti-immigration groups for a 'shutdown' to force foreign nationals to leave South Africa by the end of the month. The government has said it will not allow this to happen. 'We will not allow any group or individual to disrupt the peace and stability of our country,' Ntshavheni said. The address is expected to provide clarity on the government's approach to managing migration and addressing the root causes of population movements. The operation ended in February 2026, although a residual immigration officer force remained in the state, numbering 650 in early March. In the following weeks, ICE continued to be active in the Twin Cities suburbs. The government has also announced plans to repatriate over 1,000 Nigerians from South Africa as anti-migrant sentiments rise in the country. The repatriation effort is part of the government's efforts to address the root causes of migration and to provide support to countries affected by migration. The government has also called for African solutions to address migration challenges, with Ramaphosa stating that 'we must work together to address the root causes of population movements.' The address is expected to provide further clarity on the government's approach to managing migration and addressing the root causes of population movements.

The address by President Ramaphosa is significant as it comes at a time when anti-immigrant protests are on the rise in South Africa. The protests have resulted in the displacement of foreign migrants, with Mozambique saying five of its citizens were killed and hundreds are fleeing across the border. The government's response to xenophobic violence has been criticized, with critics arguing that prevention is weak, arrests are limited, and political rhetoric sometimes fuels tensions instead of easing them. The address is expected to provide clarity on the government's approach to managing migration and addressing the root causes of population movements. The operation ended in February 2026, although a residual immigration officer force remained in the state, numbering 650 in early March. In the following weeks, ICE continued to be active in the Twin Cities suburbs. The government has also announced plans to repatriate over 1,000 Nigerians from South Africa as anti-migrant sentiments rise in the country. The repatriation effort is part of the government's efforts to address the root causes of migration and to provide support to countries affected by migration. The government has also called for African solutions to address migration challenges, with Ramaphosa stating that 'we must work together to address the root causes of population movements.'