Ramaphosa pledges illegal immigration crackdown, promises economic growth push

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Ramaphosa pledges illegal immigration crackdown, promises economic growth push Following his Sunday night announcement that government is taking decisive action to tackle illegal immigration, President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Monday this will happen simultaneously with government's plan to address the country's core economic challenges. In his weekly letter to the nation, Ramaphosa added that government is balancing strict border enforcement with a revitalised economic strategy, by driving faster and inclusive economic growth, infrastructure development, industrial expansion and the creation of new jobs. Following the adoption of the Comprehensive Approach for Migration Management by Cabinet, the State is intensifying its legislative enforcement, he pointed out. Ramaphosa acknowledged growing community anxieties regarding national security and the rule of law, and he directly addressed the social and economic friction points raised by citizens. He noted that some companies illegally employ and exploit undocumented foreign nationals and that public perception suggests foreign-owned spaza shops are crowding out local traders. Sector-specific employment quotas for foreign nationals will be introduced, and informal businesses will have to be registered, Ramaphosa laid out. He explained that while citizens fear that public infrastructure is overwhelmed, official statistics show foreign nationals account for a very small proportion of clinic, hospital, and school users. Ramaphosa said organised syndicates do exploit migration weaknesses for drug trafficking, illegal mining, and extortion. However, the majority of foreign nationals are not involved in criminal activity. Ramaphosa cautioned citizens against taking the law into their own hands, emphasising that only authorised State officials may enforce immigration laws. He linked local frustrations to broader systemic issues of poverty and unemployment, which often cause communities to target perceived competitors. To solve the root causes of mass migration, S