Cyril Ramaphosa Says Only Government Has the Power to Deal With Illegal Immigration in South Africa
- President Cyril Ramaphosa discussed the issue of illegal immigration while out on the campaign trail in KwaZulu-Natal
- The president addressed continued anti-illegal immigration protests and the government's response to these
- South Africans weighed in on Ramaphosa's comments, with many criticising him and his statement
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Source: Getty Images
Byron Pillay, a Briefly News journalist, has spent a decade reporting on South Africa's political landscape, crime, and social issues. He worked as a newspaper journalist for 10 years before transitioning to online journalism.
KWAZULU-NATAL — President Cyril Ramaphosa has asserted that only the government has the legal authority and capacity to address undocumented migration, warning citizens against taking the law into their own hands amid escalating anti-immigration unrest across several provinces.
Ramaphosa made the comments while addressing reporters in eMagabheni, eThekwini, on 28 October 2026, while campaigning for the African National Congress (ANC).
"We as government have said we are the only authority that has the power and ability to deal with illegal migration," Ramaphosa stated, stressing that migration enforcement falls exclusively within the mandate of the state rather than individual citizens or civic groups.
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He added that arrests of those involved in illegal activities were already underway.
Army deployed to restore order
The president also confirmed that the South African National Defence Force had been brought in to reinforce police operations and stabilise affected communities. He said the deployment was directed specifically at those he described as "fanning flames of instability".
"We will not tolerate illegal activities, whether directed against South Africans or foreign nationals," Ramaphosa said.
"All these people have rights."
The remarks come against a backdrop of mounting pressure from anti-illegal immigration groups, including the March and March Movement led by activist Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma. The movement has often criticised the president and government, accusing them of prioritising foreign nationals over locals.
South Africans push back online
The president's comment drew sharp criticism on social media, with many questioning the government's credibility on the issue.
@Fefe70420079 wrote:
"If they are dealing with the problem of illegal immigrants, why are they still entering our borders every day? He is clueless."
@Am_Xhosa stated:
"Then that means that the government is a failure. They failed at their job. A good leader would appreciate that, rather than making empty noise. The reason people are up in arms is that the government of Ramaphosa failed in its duties."
@GanieMahomed questioned:
"So why have they not dealt with illegal migration, if they are the ones with power? They just don't have the inclination, as they're too busy looting."
@Njabulo159878 added:
"The government defending its incompetence."
@Thami63995906 exclaimed:
"The people's power will be at the ballot box."
Ngobese-Zuma compares Ramaphosa to the Zimbabwean President
Briefly News reported that Ngobese-Zuma criticised Ramaphosa while addressing a large crowd outside the Home Affairs Refugee Reception Centre in Durban.
The March and March leader accused Ramaphosa of ignoring their grievances for 21 months while deploying soldiers against them.
The March and March leader also criticised the South African President, comparing him to his Zimbabwean counterpart, Emmerson Mnangagwa.
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Source: Briefly News
