South Africa Challenges Not From Illegal Immigration – Ramaphosa

President Cyril Ramaphosa has said illegal immigration is not the cause of South Africa’s economic challenges, as he addressed growing anti-foreigner sentiment in several communities.

“We must recognise that illegal immigration is not the cause of all our economic challenges. There are other causes,” Ramaphosa said on Sunday.

“The answer must be faster economic growth, greater investment, industrial expansion, infrastructure development and the creation of millions of new jobs. These are precisely the issues that our government is working on.”

Ramaphosa acknowledged that immigration is a global issue affecting many countries.

“Our country, like many others throughout history, is a product of migration. It is the reason for our diversity and contributes to our vibrancy,” he said.

“As a democracy, we have welcomed visitors to our country.”

The president said South Africa accepts people from other countries who need protection from wars, conflicts, discrimination and violence, in line with international obligations and constitutional values.

Ramaphosa said South Africa has clear laws determining who can enter the country, what they can do while there, and how long they can stay.

“The basic principle on which we all agree is that every person within the borders of South Africa should be here legally, not illegally,” he said.

“Every person who works in our country must be legally permitted to work here. Every person who runs a business here must be legally permitted to run such a business.”

The president noted that some people have migrated to South Africa irregularly and are in the country illegally.

“South Africa has a right to implement policies and measures that prevent irregular migration,” he said.

Ramaphosa added that the country is committed to protecting, upholding and advancing the human rights of all people in the country, whether citizens or foreign nationals.

The address comes in response to growing protests and anti-foreigner sentiment in several South African communities, amid complaints that foreign nationals dominate informal trading and spaza shops.

Tensions have periodically flared into violence in recent months, with foreign-owned shops looted and foreign nationals attacked in townships across the country.

Ghana and Mozambique have repatriated hundreds of their citizens; Malawi and Nigeria have announced they would do the same.