by Alimat Aliyeva
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has addressed the
nation, announcing a series of new measures aimed at tightening
enforcement against illegal migration amid rising tensions linked
to anti-foreigner marches and growing public frustration over
unemployment, AzerNEWS reports, citing BBC.
The proposed steps include criminal penalties for employers who
hire undocumented workers, the establishment of specialized courts
to accelerate deportation cases, and the creation of a national
biometric population register intended to reduce identity fraud and
improve state security.
At the same time, Ramaphosa urged citizens not to resort to
vigilantism or take the law into their own hands, warning that
rising hostility could further destabilize already fragile
communities.
Over the past few weeks, several African countries have begun
organizing the evacuation of their nationals from South Africa, as
fears of escalating violence increase. Anti-migrant groups have
intensified their calls for undocumented foreigners to leave the
country, setting a deadline of June 30.
Tensions have already led to displacement. Last weekend, several
hundred migrants fled their homes in the Overberg region of the
Western Cape following reports of intimidation campaigns and the
deaths of two Mozambican nationals in Mossel Bay. Many sought
temporary shelter in community halls, coastal areas, and even
nearby mountainous regions, while others chose to return to their
home countries. This weekend alone, around 140 people reportedly
boarded buses heading to Malawi and Mozambique.
In Durban, dozens of foreign nationals have been camping outside
the Department of Home Affairs for weeks, saying they fear for
their safety amid rising anti-immigrant sentiment.
Interestingly, analysts note that South Africa’s migration
debate is increasingly shaped not only by economic pressures but
also by digital misinformation circulating on social media
platforms, which has amplified fears and accelerated local
tensions. Experts warn that without coordinated policy reforms and
community-level dialogue, such narratives could further inflame
divisions in already vulnerable urban areas.
