President Ramaphosa to address nation on illegal migration and action plan

President Cyril Ramaphosa will address the nation on Sunday on the government’s management of illegal migration and the recent surge in protests against foreign nationals, the presidency said.

The address will be broadcast at 6 pm in the capital, Pretoria, the presidency said in a statement. Ramaphosa will provide details on a National Action Plan on migration developed by an inter-ministerial committee that was approved by the nation’s cabinet last week.

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The address comes after a recent wave of anti-immigrant demonstrations that have revived concerns about xenophobic violence in South Africa.

Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni initially confirmed on Friday that an address by Ramaphosa on country’s approach to managing migration was being planned, but did not confirm Sunday at the time.

The cabinet received and approved a comprehensive approach to migration that was developed by an inter-ministerial committee and has also approved the national action plan country report on migration in South Africa, Ntshavheni said at a media briefing on Friday.

The announcement comes after a recent wave of anti-immigrant demonstrations has revived concerns about xenophobic violence in South Africa, where migrants are targeted in a climate of high unemployment and overstretched basic services.

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