South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has vowed to take action against those using xenophobic violence as a means to commit crimes. Speaking at a dinner event hosted by the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Ramaphosa emphasized that his government will not stand idly by while such violence erupts. He made these remarks amid rising tensions in the country, particularly in the KwaZulu-Natal province.
Ramaphosa's comments come as anti-immigrant protests have been gaining momentum in some parts of the country. On Wednesday, protest leaders, including Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, received a court interdict preventing them from staging protests in Durban. The protest leaders are set to meet with government officials in the Pietermaritzburg High Court on Friday to discuss the matter. Ramaphosa warned that allowing such protests to turn violent would have a negative impact on the country's economy.
The President emphasized that the country's economy, particularly in KwaZulu-Natal, is showing signs of growth. He cited the tourism sector, which has seen 1.2 million visitors to Durban last year, as a key driver of this growth. This has earned Durban a spot among the top 14 travel destinations in 2026, according to Time Out's Best Places to Travel.
Ramaphosa also drew parallels between the current protests and the July 2021 unrest, which caused significant economic disruption in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng. He stressed that his government will not allow a repeat of such violence, which he believes would undermine the country's economic progress.
In a move aimed at bolstering security in KwaZulu-Natal, Ramaphosa has authorized the deployment of South Africa's National Defence Force (SANDF) to support the police in the province. The SANDF will remain in the province until after the upcoming local government elections.
Ramaphosa's government has been working to address concerns around illegal immigration and xenophobia. However, critics argue that more needs to be done to address the root causes of these issues, including poverty, unemployment, and social inequality.
The President's comments have been welcomed by some, who see them as a strong stance against xenophobic violence. However, others have expressed skepticism, citing concerns about the government's ability to effectively address the complex issues surrounding immigration and xenophobia.
Key points
- President Cyril Ramaphosa has vowed to take action against those using xenophobic violence as a means to commit crimes in South Africa.
- The President has authorized the deployment of the South Africa's National Defence Force (SANDF) to support the police in KwaZulu-Natal province.
- Ramaphosa's government is working to address concerns around illegal immigration and xenophobia, but critics argue that more needs to be done to address the root causes of these issues.
