South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa has issued a strong warning to citizens against xenophobia, stressing that no one has the right to enforce the law on their own.
Speaking during his 2026 Freedom Day address in Bloemfontein, he cautioned against blaming foreign nationals for societal challenges, saying legitimate concerns about illegal migration should not be allowed to fuel prejudice against other Africans.
He emphasized that public frustrations must never translate into violence or hatred, adding that xenophobia has no place in the country. At the same time, he confirmed that government is intensifying action against illegal migration and cracking down on employers who hire undocumented workers.
Ramaphosa also stressed that all enforcement must remain strictly within legal boundaries, warning: “We will not allow people to take the law into their own hands.”
Reflecting on history, he reminded South Africans of the support the continent gave during the apartheid era, urging citizens to protect African unity and avoid actions that undermine the shared struggle that contributed to the country’s freedom.