Ramaphosa toughens stance on illegal immigration as Zimbabweans watch closely

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Sunday announced sweeping new measures aimed at tightening immigration controls, intensifying deportations and punishing employers who hire undocumented foreign nationals — a policy shift likely to have major implications for thousands of Zimbabweans living and working in South Africa.


Addressing the nation from the Union Buildings in Tshwane, Ramaphosa acknowledged growing public anger over illegal immigration, unemployment, pressure on public services and rising crime concerns.

“South Africans are asking whether our borders are secure. They are concerned about jobs. They are concerned about safety, security and the rule of law,” he said.

While insisting that South Africans were “not xenophobic”, the South African leader warned that illegal immigration had become a serious national challenge requiring decisive state intervention.

Zimbabweans form one of the largest migrant communities in South Africa, with many employed in construction, agriculture, domestic work, hospitality, mining and the informal sector. The new measures are therefore expected to trigger anxiety among both documented and undocumented Zimbabwean migrants.

Ramaphosa announced that authorities would intensify the identification and deportation of undocumented migrants and strengthen workplace inspections targeting companies employing foreign nationals illegally.

“In the past year alone, the Border Management Authority managed to intercept and stop over 450,000 people who were attempting to enter South Africa illegally,” he said.

The government also plans to establish dedicated immigration courts to fast‑track deportation cases and increase penalties — including possible imprisonment — for employers found guilty of hiring undocumented workers.

The speech comes amid rising anti‑immigrant sentiment in parts of South Africa, where foreign nationals are often blamed for unemployment, crime and pressure on healthcare and education systems.

Ramaphosa sought to balance the tougher immigration message with calls for restraint and constitutionalism, warning citizens against taking the law into their own hands.

“No other person is allowed, for example, to confront someone in the street to demand proof of nationality,” he said.
He further warned against xenophobia, violence and misinformation campaigns targeting foreign nationals.

“We must not allow ourselves to turn against foreign nationals or each other,” he added.

For Zimbabwe, the developments are significant given the country’s deep economic and social ties with South Africa. Millions of Zimbabweans rely directly or indirectly on remittances sent from relatives working across the Limpopo.

Analysts say stricter immigration enforcement could worsen economic pressure on Zimbabwean households already struggling with unemployment, inflation and limited formal job opportunities.

The South African government also announced plans to relocate refugee reception centres closer to border posts, introduce biometric population registration systems, phase out green ID books and tighten labour migration laws through employment quotas for foreign nationals.

Ramaphosa said South Africa would continue engaging regional bodies such as SADC and the African Union to address migration pressures across the continent.

“As South Africa, we will continue working with our sister countries to build an Africa in which people move by choice and not by desperation,” he said.

Despite the tougher tone, Ramaphosa maintained that migration itself was not the enemy.

“South Africa is a better country for migration,” he said. “But that means our laws need to be strengthened and more effectively enforced.”

The address is expected to spark intense debate across southern Africa, particularly in Zimbabwe where migration to South Africa remains a critical economic lifeline for many families.