South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has condemned the discrimination and violence targeting foreign nationals in South Africa, saying the country must not preach regional integration while practising exclusion.
Speaking in Durban ahead of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) summit, President Ramaphosa said South Africans should be “deeply concerned and ashamed” that nationals from other countries had been subjected to discrimination, ill-treatment and, in some cases, forced to leave under threats of violence.
He said the actions of a few people should not be allowed to undermine the spirit of regional solidarity.
“The criminal actions of a few within our communities are a repudiation of the solidarity upon which this Southern African region is built. We cannot preach integration at summits and practise exclusion in the streets of our countries.”
President Ramaphosa also stressed that migration has historically shaped Southern Africa, contributing to the diversity and development of the region.
“Our people are the products of migration. Migration accounts for much of the diversity as well as the vibrancy and richness of this region.”
His comments come amid growing anti-migrant protests and campaigns targeting undocumented migrants, with groups calling for tougher immigration controls and the deportation of undocumented foreign nationals.
Ramaphosa has previously maintained that illegal immigration should be managed through enforcement of immigration laws, stronger border controls and cooperation with neighbouring countries, while protecting human rights.
He is expected to take over the SADC chairmanship as regional leaders meet in Durban for the bloc’s 46th Ordinary Summit.
