A viral fake immigration notice has prompted renewed calls for calm, with President Cyril Ramaphosa urging South Africans not to blame foreign nationals for the country’s challenges while government steps up efforts to tackle illegal immigration. Ramaphosa acknowledged that many communities are concerned about illegal immigration, pressure on public services, jobs, crime and the enforcement of immigration laws.
He said these concerns were real and should be addressed, but warned that migrants should not be used as scapegoats for South Africa’s problems.
“Addressing these challenges requires practical solutions, not the scapegoating of vulnerable people,” said Ramaphosa.
Government has in recent weeks announced a five-point strategy to manage irregular migration. According to the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Migration, this includes strengthening border security, upholding the rule of law, dealing with corruption in the immigration system, cracking down on violence and lawlessness, and reviewing the country’s legislative framework.
The committee said the Border Management Authority has increased vigilance at ports of entry and has deployed technology such as drones and body-worn cameras. Static checkpoints and roadblocks have also been introduced on key routes leading to ports of entry.
Government said law enforcement operations have been stepped up across the country, with inspections at businesses and communities.
According to the committee, more than 7 400 illegal immigrants were arrested in the past month for contravening the Immigration Act. Since the beginning of this year, more than 40 000 arrests have reportedly been made during law enforcement operations across the country.
The Government said repatriation processes are also under way in co-operation with several countries. Ramaphosa has, however, stressed that immigration enforcement is the responsibility of the state alone.
“No other person is allowed, for example, to confront someone in the street to demand proof of nationality,” he said.
The Presidency has also warned against misinformation regarding immigration issues, saying false claims and social media campaigns are fuelling fear and division. A widely shared poster claiming that all undocumented foreigners must leave South Africa by 30 June has been confirmed as fake.
The poster used the South African Coat of Arms and appeared to resemble an official government notice, but government has not issued any such deadline. The South African Police Service also labelled the notice fake, saying it formed part of disinformation aimed at misleading communities and causing unnecessary panic.
Ramaphosa said South Africa has the right to enforce its immigration laws, but must do so in line with the Constitution, the rule of law and its international obligations.
He called on communities not to resort to inti-midation, victimisation or violence, saying the country must address illegal immigration while remaining “secure, lawful, compassionate and prosperous”.
Fake immigration deadline fuels confusion
