Ramaphosa Tells South Africans Only the State Can Enforce Immigration Law, Rejects June 30 Deadline

President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged South Africans not to act on a June 30 deadline set by some groups for undocumented foreign nationals to leave, insisting that enforcing immigration law is the responsibility of government officials alone. He warned against vigilante action and said no one should confront people in the street to demand proof of nationality.

Ramaphosa acknowledged the unemployment and cost-of-living frustrations behind the protests while rejecting xenophobia, and the government has said it has no plans to deploy soldiers around the deadline.

What this means for you: African nationals and the diaspora in South Africa should rely on official channels, as the state reaffirms that only authorized officers may act on immigration matters.

Source: eNCA, The Presidency of South Africa.