ActionSA has criticised President Cyril Ramaphosa’s address on illegal immigration, describing it as “weak and reactionary” and arguing that the measures announced do little to address South Africa’s immigration crisis.
The criticism follows Ramaphosa’s address on illegal immigration on Sunday evening, where he announced plans to bolster border security, increase deportations, crack down on immigration and labour law violations, and tackle corruption within the immigration system.
In a statement issued shortly after the address, ActionSA president Herman Mashaba said the party was disappointed that Ramaphosa had failed to present what it viewed as a meaningful shift in government’s approach to illegal immigration.
ActionSA calls for mass deportations
“ActionSA is disappointed by President Ramaphosa’s weak and reactionary address, which does nothing to address the immigration crisis created by the ANC and perpetuated by the failing GNU government,” Mashaba said.
“Rather than presenting a clear shift in approach, which we believe must anchor on mass deportations and the urgent capacitation of enforcement capacity, the President merely repackaged the same failed and tired talking points that have characterised the ANC’s decades-long failure to secure South Africa’s borders and effectively address illegal immigration.”
Mashaba said any commitment to stronger enforcement would fail unless government properly funds and equips the Border Management Authority.
He also accused government of responding to pressure from foreign governments while ignoring the social and economic impact of illegal immigration on South Africa.
Mashaba further criticised Ramaphosa for not taking questions from the media following the address. “Perhaps indicative of the weakness of his address, the President once again refused to engage with the media. South Africans deserve answers to questions about what, if anything, has changed in the government’s approach to immigration enforcement,” he said.
DA approves tougher stance
While ActionSA dismissed the address as insufficient, the Democratic Alliance (DA) welcomed Ramaphosa’s latest measures.
The DA said the proposals aligned with its calls for stronger border management and improved immigration administration. It also backed tougher action against employers who hire undocumented foreign nationals.
During his address, Ramaphosa pledged to accelerate deportations and improve coordination between law enforcement agencies.
He said government would also strengthen controls at South Africa’s borders. However, ActionSA argued that the measures fall short of what is needed.
