By Palesa Matlala
• Ramaphosa is expected to speak on Sunday night as government prepares a new plan to deal with illegal migration.
• Police have warned that only the state can enforce immigration laws as protests against foreign nationals spread across provinces.
President Cyril Ramaphosa is stepping into a migration crisis that is spreading fear across South Africa.
He is expected to address the nation at 6pm on Sunday, 7 June, from the Union Buildings in Pretoria.
The Presidency said Ramaphosa will explain the government’s plan for dealing with illegal migration and protests against foreign nationals.
The address comes as anger over immigration grows in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, the Western Cape and other parts of the country.
Some foreign nationals have already left South Africa because they fear violence before a threatened 30 June shutdown.
The anti-migrant group March and March has called for undocumented migrants to leave the country by the end of June.
But government says nobody will be allowed to shut South Africa down.
Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said South Africans have the right to protest, but they do not have the right to take the law into their own hands.
“We must be very clear about that,” she said.
Cabinet has approved a new national plan on migration.
Ntshavheni said Ramaphosa will give the details of that plan.
Police have also warned protest groups against violence, threats and illegal action.
Acting National Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane said only state institutions can enforce immigration laws.
The National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure has warned that officers are watching hotspots linked to anti-migrant protests.
In Benoni, residents have taken to the streets, saying undocumented foreign nationals must leave by the end of the month.
Activist Rose Kgabale said they do not want violence.
“We’re not promoting any violence. We’re not instigating any violence,” she said.
But fear is already spreading.
Last month, Ghana started a voluntary return programme after concerns over safety in South Africa. About 295 Ghanaian nationals returned home.
Now the country waits for Ramaphosa to say how government will stop the crisis from becoming a national disaster.
Pictured above: President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Image source: GovernmentZA.
