President Ramaphosa Says South Africa Is “Deeply Ashamed” That Foreigners From SADC Countries Were Ill-Treated and Even Forced to Leave

President Cyril Ramaphosa says the country is “deeply concerned and ashamed” that people from neighbouring SADC countries have been subjected to ill-treatment and, in some cases, forced to leave under threats of violence.

His comments come after a series of anti-illegal immigration marches planned by various groups and communities across South Africa, with protesters calling on government to take stronger action against undocumented immigrants and demanding that those without legal status leave the country. Some protesters have accused undocumented migrants of taking jobs from South Africans and contributing to crime.

Speaking at the SADC Public Lecture at the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Westville Campus in Durban, Ramaphosa said such incidents betrayed the values of solidarity on which SADC was founded. He said South Africa could not promote regional integration at summits while practising exclusion in communities, while calling for lawful and orderly movement across the region.

Ramaphosa said migration had shaped Southern Africa for centuries and remained central to the region’s diversity and growth. He called on SADC countries to pursue Vision 2050 by addressing conflict, instability, governance failures, poverty and social discord that contribute to migration. The 46th SADC Summit will also focus on infrastructure, agriculture, critical minerals and inclusive industrialisation.