“We Can’t Blame Foreigners Alone”: Ramaphosa Calls Out South Africans Over Fake Marriages, Bribes, and Exploiting Migrant Workers.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has pushed back against rising anti-immigrant sentiment in the country, defending his government’s immigration policies while pointing a finger at his own citizens for making the undocumented migration crisis worse.

In a statement released on Monday, Ramaphosa accused some South Africans of actively colluding with undocumented migrants—arranging fake marriages, illegally selling state-subsidized houses, and taking bribes to help migrants access social services. He said these actions are fueling tensions and deepening the very problems people complain about.

“South African citizens who collude with undocumented foreign nationals in fake marriages, the illegal sale of state-subsidised housing, or accepting bribes to facilitate access to social services only deepen the problem,” Ramaphosa said.

He also called out many citizens for exploiting undocumented migrants as cheap labour in private homes and the informal sector, adding, “Many South Africans are exploiting undocumented labour in households and in the informal sector.”

The president warned against tarnishing the country’s international image or undermining the long-standing solidarity between South Africa and other African nations—solidarity that has existed since the end of apartheid.

He emphasised that since democracy began in 1994, South Africa has consistently promoted human rights, African integration, and regional cooperation. Unlike some countries that confine refugees to camps, Ramaphosa said South Africa has a “strong refugee protection framework” that allows refugees to live in communities, work, and access healthcare and education.

To back up his point about integration, the president noted that out of 10.5 million tourists who visited South Africa last year, more than eight million came from other African countries. He also mentioned the many African students, academics, and even the Pan-African Parliament hosted in the country.

“Our demonstrated commitment to deepening African integration and solidarity should not be undermined by isolated acts of criminality,” he added.

Ramaphosa acknowledged that undocumented migration is a major global challenge and that South Africa is not unique in facing tensions over it. But he called for more cooperation and understanding among African nations and the wider international community.

“Like every other country in the world, we will continue asserting our sovereign right to regulate migration, secure our borders and enforce our laws,” he said.

He closed with a firm warning: xenophobia, ethnic mobilisation, and violence will not be tolerated.

“We must make it clear that there is no place in South Africa for xenophobia, ethnic mobilisation, intolerance or violence,” Ramaphosa said. “Everyone in South Africa is bound by the same laws and we are committed to ensure that they are respected and upheld by citizens and foreign nationals alike.”