South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has condemned the recent xenophobic attacks targeting Nigerians and other African migrants in the country, by anti-immigration movements, including the March and March Movement.

In a statement on Monday, Mr Ramaphosa maintained that the actions of the groups in some areas of the country didn’t reflect the opinion of the South African people. He alleged that the groups were individuals using legitimate concerns to exploit the public. 

He said, “The recent violent protests and criminal acts directed at foreign nationals in parts of our country do not represent the views of South Africa’s people nor reflect our government’s policy.

“These are the acts of opportunists who are exploiting the legitimate grievances, particularly those of the poor, under the false guise of ‘community activism’.

“Some of these people are assuming functions that only state officials are permitted to perform, including stopping people to check identification and conducting searches of private property. Such lawlessness will not be tolerated, regardless of who the perpetrators or victims are.”

For weeks, the March and March Movement and other groups have been leading hundreds of South African protesters in widespread demonstrations often aimed at harassing black foreigners on the streets, prompting Nigeria and Ghanaian governments to summon the South African ambassadors in both countries. 

Additionally, the Ghanaian government also formally petitioned the African Union to intervene.

Mr Ramaphosa acknowledged that illegal immigrants put constraints on South Africa’s economy but noted that “In tackling illegal migration, we are balancing our constitutional and international obligations with safeguarding national security.”

He reassured that the Border Management Authority and other authorities are working to ensure the country’s border security, citing 450,000 people who were caught attempting to enter South Africa illegally during the last financial year. 

“The Border Management Authority (BMA) and the Defence Force are strengthening border security and combating illicit cross-border activity. 

“We commend the BMA for successfully intercepting some 450,000 people trying to enter South Africa illegally in the past financial year. As we strengthen our borders, we continue to reform our migration and citizenship framework,” the president said.

Mr Ramaphosa, however, accused some South Africans of colluding with undocumented immigrants to destroy the system with fake marriages, the sale of state-subsidised documents and taking bribes from foreigners to give them access to social services.

He called on the South African public to protect the country’s image.

“As a country, we must reject attempts to damage our country’s international reputation and to undermine the solidarity that has defined South Africa’s relations with the rest of Africa since the dawn of democracy,” he said.