By Rahim Abdul
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced a series of measures aimed at tackling illegal immigration, as the country grapples with growing concerns over undocumented foreign nationals.
The announcement comes at a time when South Africa has witnessed outbreaks of violence linked to frustrations over the increasing number of foreign nationals living and working in the country.
Ramaphosa said his government will strengthen the country’s immigration and border management systems to curb the entry of people without valid travel and residency documents.
He added that authorities will intensify efforts to combat corruption and bribery within immigration departments, which have been blamed for enabling illegal entry and the misuse of official documents.
According to the President, cleaning up the immigration system is essential to ensuring that only individuals with legitimate documentation are allowed to enter and remain in South Africa.
Ramaphosa also emphasized that courts will continue imposing tougher penalties on employers who knowingly hire undocumented foreign nationals, including prison sentences instead of relying solely on monetary fines.
In addition, law enforcement agencies have been instructed to carry out operations targeting undocumented immigrants and facilitate their repatriation in accordance with the country’s laws.
The President further directed all departments operating at border posts to enforce immigration regulations more effectively and strengthen monitoring systems to reduce illegal crossings.
He said South Africa will work closely with other African nations and countries whose citizens frequently migrate to South Africa in order to develop coordinated solutions to migration challenges.
However, Ramaphosa also condemned acts of violence against foreign nationals, warning that his government will not tolerate xenophobic attacks and will take action against anyone found abusing or targeting migrants.
