ActionSA slams Ramaphosa’s immigration address as ‘weak and reactionary’

Johannesburg – ActionSA has strongly criticised President Cyril Ramaphosa’s national address on illegal immigration, describing it as “weak and reactionary” and arguing that it fails to meaningfully address South Africa’s ongoing immigration crisis.

In a statement issued on 7 June 2026, ActionSA President Herman Mashaba said the address reflected continuity rather than change in government policy.

“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.

The party argued that the President failed to present a decisive shift in immigration enforcement, instead reiterating long-standing policy positions.

🗣️ “Rather than presenting a clear shift in approach, the President merely repackaged the same failed and tired talking points that have characterised the ANC’s decades-long failure to effectively address illegal immigration.” – @HermanMashabahttps://t.co/KfOJ2AMzKl

— ActionSA (@Action4SA) June 8, 2026

“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.

ActionSA also criticised Ramaphosa for not engaging with the media following his address, saying South Africans were left without clear answers on the implementation of the announced measures.

“South Africans deserve answers to questions about what, if anything, is genuinely different in the measures announced today,” Mashaba said.

He added that the absence of media engagement reflected a lack of accountability.

“Instead, the President avoided scrutiny and offered little more than a scripted repetition of the same failed policies that have done nothing to address the crisis,” he said.

The party further argued that enforcement efforts would fail without proper funding and capacity, particularly within the Border Management Authority.

[WATCH] ActionSA spokesperson Lerato Ngobeni is dissatisfied with President Cyril Ramaphosa’s address on illegal migration. The party says no concrete solutions or timelines were provided, to strengthen border management. #Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/xphezQdWJ4

— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) June 7, 2026

“While the Border Management Authority remains underfunded, under equipped and under resourced, any commitment by the President to ramp up enforcement is dead on arrival,” Mashaba said.

ActionSA also claimed that government responses were being driven by external pressure rather than domestic priorities, and accused some international actors of misrepresenting South Africa’s concerns about illegal immigration.

Mashaba said South Africans had the right to demand secure borders and effective enforcement of immigration laws.

“ActionSA believes that South Africans have every right to demand secure borders, the enforcement of immigration laws and an immigration system that serves the interests of the country,” he said.

He added that efforts to dismiss or undermine public concerns would not resolve the broader immigration challenge facing the country.