Ramaphosa’s illegal immigration plan sparks fierce nationwide debate

President Cyril Ramaphosa’s newly announced plan to tackle illegal immigration has intensified debate across South Africa, with labour unions welcoming the move, while opposition parties and civic groups argue it falls short of addressing growing public frustration over jobs and service delivery.

In an address to the nation on Sunday, Ramaphosa acknowledged mounting concerns from communities across the country over illegal immigration and outlined an intervention plan aimed at addressing migration challenges.

Among the key measures announced is the recruitment of 10,000 labour inspectors to crack down on employers who exploit undocumented workers.

The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) has backed the plan, pointing to economic growth, increased investments, infrastructure development and job creation as key solutions to the underlying issues. 

COSATU spokesperson, Zanele Sabela, said employers who knowingly hire undocumented migrants to bypass labour laws must face serious consequences.

“Those employers who hire undocumented immigrants with the sole intention of exploiting their vulnerability, paying them a pittance while making them work extraordinarily long hours in unhealthy and unsafe conditions, will be harshly penalised and even imprisoned,” said Sabela.

The President’s announcement comes amid growing tensions over access to employment opportunities, healthcare services and housing, with many South Africans arguing that undocumented migrants place additional strain on already stretched public resources.

Ramaphosa said government would continue tightening immigration controls while strengthening cooperation with neighbouring countries.

“We will continue to crack down on the violation of our immigration, labour and other laws. We will continue to prevent people from entering the country irregularly and illegally. We are and will continue to stamp out corruption in our immigration system,” the President said.

However, the plan has already drawn criticism from some political and civic organisations.

ActionSA mayoral candidate, Herman Mashaba, accused government of responding to pressure from foreign governments instead of prioritising the concerns of South Africans.

Mashaba said government has failed to acknowledge what he described as the “social and economic burden” of illegal immigration, arguing that calls for reform are being unfairly dismissed.

The civil society movement, March and March also criticised the President’s approach. Speaking to our sister channel, eNCA, founder Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, said communities should play a greater role in addressing illegal immigration, arguing that government had failed to fully grasp the scale of the crisis.

The debate has also taken on a diplomatic dimension.

Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, recently rejected allegations made by Ghana’s Foreign Minister, Samuel Ablakwa, that several foreign nationals, including five Mozambicans and two Nigerians, were killed during anti-illegal immigration operations in South Africa.

Lamola said police are investigating the deaths of two Mozambican nationals in the Western Cape but dismissed broader claims circulating on social media, warning against what he described as “frivolous or baseless” accusations against South Africa.

A deeply disappointing interview, replete with misinformation.

First, the claim that two Nigerians have been killed during the current wave of attacks remains entirely unsubstantiated by available information.

No Nigerian National
has been killed during the current waves of… https://t.co/mlkbMiJiAd pic.twitter.com/RxjJWB0OmL

— Minister: International Relations and Cooperation (@RonaldLamola) June 6, 2026

Meanwhile, migration pressures continue to play out across the region. The first group of 150 Malawian nationals is expected to arrive in Malawi on Monday as part of a voluntary repatriation programme after being displaced by a fire in Mossel Bay during an anti-illegal immigration protest that turned violent.

pic.twitter.com/qC6opOROyf

— Malawi Government🇲🇼 (@MalawiGovt) June 7, 2026