Cyril Ramaphosa Vows Action Against Individuals Behind Attacks on African Foreign Nationals
- President Cyril Ramaphosa has addressed the recent attacks on African foreign nationals in the country
- Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema questioned what action would be taken against perpetrators
- The President also confirmed that the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) were busy with further investigations
PAY ATTENTION: Mark Briefly News as a preferred source, and our content will appear higher in your Google feed!
Source: Getty Images
Byron Pillay, a Briefly News journalist, has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He worked as a newspaper journalist for 10 years before transitioning to online.
SOUTH AFRICA - President Cyril Ramaphosa has told parliament that arrests and criminal charges are forthcoming against those responsible for attacks on African foreign nationals.
Ramaphosa made the comments while responding to pointed questions from Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema during a virtual parliamentary session on 25 August 2026.
Malema opened the exchange by arguing that the violence against African migrants across South Africa over recent months amounted to state-sanctioned persecution, citing instances where attacks occurred in the presence of police without any intervention or arrests being made.
PAY ATTENTION: You can now search for all your favourite news and topics on Briefly News.
He demanded to know why known instigators had not been taken into custody, adding that Ramaphosa should have arrested Ngizwe Mchunu and Nkosikhona "Phakelumthakathi" Ndabandaba when they came to meet with him directly.
Ramaphosa addresses accountability for violence
The President acknowledged the severity of the attacks, confirming that the police and broader security apparatus were actively gathering reports and evidence linked to the violence. He stated that several individuals have already been arrested and that others identified as leading figures in the unrest remain persons of direct interest to law enforcement.
"We are obviously concerned about the actions that have been taken against many Africans in our country, and we have made it clear that those who violate the law, those who transgress various precepts of our laws, need to be dealt with," he said.
Ramaphosa confirmed that arrests and formal charges would follow as the police and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) continue their investigations.
The President also recently condemned the treatment of foreign nationals. March and March leader, Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, was not happy with the President's stance, insisting that there was no reason to apologise.
Ramaphosa insists that South Africans aren't xenophobic
Briefly News reported that President Cyril Ramaphosa weighed in on the recent tensions in South Africa between locals and foreign nationals.
The president insisted that South Africans were not xenophobic, saying that they wanted to live together with other Africans in the country.
South Africans weighed in on Ramaphosa's statement, sharing mixed reactions to his view on the actions of citizens.
PAY ATTENTION: Follow Briefly News on Twitter and never miss the hottest topics! Find us at @brieflyza!
Source: Briefly News
