Ramaphosa vows arrests after attacks on African migrants

By Echos News Editorial Team
Published: Aug 26, 2026

President Cyril Ramaphosa has pledged that arrests and prosecutions will follow after violent attacks on African foreign nationals in South Africa. His remarks came during a tense parliamentary exchange with Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema, who accused authorities of failing to act despite knowing the perpetrators.

Ramaphosa’s parliamentary response

Speaking during a virtual parliamentary question-and-answer session on 25 August, Ramaphosa confirmed that arrests and criminal charges are imminent against those responsible for the attacks. He acknowledged the severity of the violence and said police and security agencies are gathering evidence to ensure prosecutions succeed.

The President stressed that the National Prosecuting Authority is actively pursuing cases linked to the unrest. He assured MPs that the government is determined to hold instigators accountable, describing the attacks as criminal acts that undermine South Africa’s constitutional values.

Ramaphosa’s comments followed weeks of criticism that authorities had been slow to respond to the violence, which targeted African migrants in several communities. He insisted that investigations were progressing and that justice would be served.

Malema’s challenge in parliament

EFF leader Julius Malema accused government of state-sanctioned persecution, claiming police stood by during attacks without intervening. He demanded to know why known instigators had not been arrested, specifically naming Ngizwe Mchunu and Nkosikhona “Phakelumthakathi” Ndabandaba, who had previously met Ramaphosa.

Malema argued that the failure to act against individuals openly linked to the violence risked damaging South Africa’s diplomatic standing across the continent. He said the government’s credibility was at stake and warned that continued inaction could fuel further instability.

The exchange highlighted growing political pressure on Ramaphosa to demonstrate decisive leadership. Opposition parties have accused the government of ignoring warnings about tensions and failing to protect vulnerable communities.

Regional and historical context

Earlier in August, Ramaphosa told Southern African Development Community leaders that South Africans were “ashamed” of the mistreatment of foreign nationals. He described the attacks as criminal actions by a few individuals, not reflective of government policy.

The violence has already led to mass repatriations of foreign nationals and strained relations with neighbouring countries. Civil society groups such as March and March criticised Ramaphosa’s apology, insisting foreign nationals without documentation should be deported rather than accommodated.

Past Violence Against Foreign Nationals

South Africa has faced repeated outbreaks of violence targeting foreign nationals since 2008, when attacks in Johannesburg and Durban left more than sixty people dead and thousands displaced. The unrest was driven by economic frustration and claims that migrants were taking jobs and housing opportunities meant for locals.

In 2015, similar incidents erupted in KwaZulu‑Natal and Gauteng, prompting international condemnation and emergency interventions by the government. Then‑President Jacob Zuma deployed police reinforcements and promised reforms to address inequality, but the attacks continued sporadically in later years.

By 2019, renewed violence in Johannesburg’s central business district saw shops owned by foreign nationals looted and burned. The government again condemned the attacks, but critics argued that official responses were reactive rather than preventive. Civil society organisations warned that hostility towards migrants had become entrenched in some communities, fuelled by misinformation and political rhetoric.

Analysts say the latest incidents mirror those earlier patterns — local grievances turning into targeted violence against African migrants from Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi, and Nigeria. Ramaphosa’s current pledge to prosecute offenders is therefore seen as a test of whether South Africa can finally break the cycle of impunity that has followed previous outbreaks.

Regional observers say South Africa’s handling of the crisis will affect its standing in SADC and the African Union, especially as violence against foreign nationals has been a recurring issue for nearly two decades. The promise of arrests and prosecutions will therefore be closely watched across the continent.

Source: Briefly via MSN | By: Byron Pillay

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