South Africa: Ramaphosa Vows Action Against Perpetrators of Xenophobic Violence

What the report says

President Cyril Ramaphosa has said people responsible for attacks on foreign nationals in South Africa will be arrested and charged, according to a Daily Maverick report distributed by AllAfrica. He made the remarks in Parliament on Tuesday while responding to questions from EFF leader Julius Malema, who argued that perpetrators of xenophobic violence had not faced prosecution and suggested the attacks appeared to be tolerated by the state.

The exchange came amid concern over violence directed at migrants and other African immigrants. Malema said some attacks had taken place in view of police and warned that this could damage South Africa’s standing on the continent. He also raised the issue of a June meeting Ramaphosa held with leaders linked to the debate over anti-migrant mobilization.

Ramaphosa also sought to push back against the idea that South Africa had been isolated by African leaders because of the violence. He said his government was engaged diplomatically with leaders across the continent and supported broader dialogue on migration and the conditions that drive it. The report suggests the issue remains politically sensitive because it touches on public safety, regional relations and South Africa’s treatment of migrants, especially as governments across Africa continue to confront xenophobia and cross-border displacement.