President Cyril Ramaphosa has acknowledged that undocumented foreign nationals place strain on public services and complicate efforts to create decent work for all South Africans, while firmly denouncing violence, xenophobia, vigilantism, and ethnic mobilization targeting foreign nationals.
Delivering the Presidency Budget Vote in the National Assembly, President Ramaphosa outlined a budget of just under 817 million rand, emphasizing priorities of economic growth, poverty reduction, and building a capable state. He stressed that migration challenges must be addressed within the framework of the law.
“We need to deal with illegal migration,” President Ramaphosa stated. “We have seen how illegal immigration into our country can put pressure on our public services and undermine our efforts to create decent work for all.”
He announced that government is taking decisive action, including cracking down on violations of immigration laws, increasing workplace inspections, and prosecuting employers who violate labor laws. At the same time, he unequivocally condemned recent incidents where locals have attempted to drive out undocumented foreign nationals and shop owners in certain areas.
“We must never give in to violence, to xenophobia, and to vigilantism,” President Ramaphosa said. “As a society, we must stand against all forms of disinformation, of incitement, of false information being spread around, of racism and ethnic mobilization.”
The President did not address the anticipated national shutdown scheduled for June 30 by the March and March Movement, which is calling for undocumented foreign nationals to leave South Africa.
On the fight against organized crime, President Ramaphosa noted he awaits the final report of the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, which he expects will bolster efforts to strengthen the South African Police Service. He highlighted that the commission’s work is already yielding results: following its first interim report in December, the South African Police Service and National Prosecuting Authority established a special task team to investigate referrals. That team has since begun operations and has already brought several cases to court following arrests.
Reaffirming government’s stance against corruption, President Ramaphosa declared, “Public office is a public trust. Those who abuse public resources for private gain betray our constitution. They undermine development and steal from the poor in our country.” He added there would be no tolerance for corruption, “regardless of position, status or political affiliation.”
Turning to the economy, President Ramaphosa pointed to an improved investment outlook. He noted that the macroeconomic environment has strengthened, tax collection revenues remain robust, public finances are in better shape, and national debt has stabilized. He welcomed last week’s decision by Moody’s to lift South Africa’s rating outlook from stable to positive, following Standard & Poor’s upgrade of the country’s credit rating six months earlier—the first such improvement in two decades.
Political parties offered mixed reactions during the budget vote debate. President Ramaphosa is expected to respond to the debate on Wednesday afternoon.
