‘There is no excuse for violence’ – Lamola urges lawful humane approach to migration

Ronald Lamola

Cape Town – International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola has called for a coordinated, lawful and humane approach to migration, warning that rising anti-immigrant sentiment and misinformation are fuelling tensions against foreign nationals in the country.

Speaking at the 2026 Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth Africa Region in Ekurhuleni on 16 June, Lamola said migration must be managed by the state alone and cautioned against vigilante action against undocumented migrants.

“There is no excuse for violence against foreign nationals in our society,” he said, adding that intimidation, looting and forced removals of migrants were “reprehensible acts of vigilantism” that undermine constitutional values.

His remarks come amid recent violent anti-immigration protests in parts of South Africa, where tensions over undocumented migrants have escalated.

Lamola said enforcement of immigration laws is the responsibility of the state and warned that individuals or groups cannot demand identity documents or expel people from communities. He added that government would act against those who exploit migration concerns for political or criminal purposes.

At the same time, he acknowledged growing public pressure linked to migration, noting that South Africa hosts between 3 and 4 million migrants, many from SADC countries, and that irregular migration is a challenge shared by many countries globally.

He also pointed to rising negative attitudes toward migrants across Africa and internationally, citing survey data showing increasing public hostility and declining support for refugees.

Lamola said economic stagnation, unemployment and inequality are key drivers of resentment, warning that migrants are often wrongly blamed for deeper structural problems.

He stressed that uncontrolled migration can strain public services such as housing, healthcare and education, especially in a weak economic environment, and called for better-managed migration systems, stronger border control and enforcement against employers who exploit undocumented workers.

The minister also raised concerns about misinformation and fake news inflaming tensions, including false claims about migrant-related violence. He said South African authorities had verified that only two Mozambican nationals were killed in recent unrest in Mossel Bay, and denied widely circulated claims about the deaths of Nigerian, Ghanaian or Ethiopian nationals.

Lamola urged Commonwealth delegates to help combat misinformation and strengthen early warning systems, while encouraging regional cooperation to address the root causes of migration, including conflict, unemployment and underdevelopment.

He concluded that migration is a longstanding part of South Africa’s history and reaffirmed the country’s commitment to constitutional protections for migrants, while insisting that it must be managed in a lawful and orderly way.

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