WATCH | ‘Those who transgress will face the law’: Ramaphosa warns ahead of 30 June protests

Cape Town – President Cyril Ramaphosa has assured South Africans that security measures are in place to prevent violence and maintain order ahead of the planned 30 June protests linked to calls by civil organisations for undocumented foreign nationals to leave the country.

Addressing the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), Ramaphosa outlined government’s four-part migration plan, which includes cracking down on immigration violations, strengthening border security, expanding the use of technology, and closing legal gaps around citizenship, immigration and refugee policies.

“Our security forces are ready, and those who transgress the measures that we are putting in place will definitely meet the might of the law,” Ramaphosa said.

[WATCH] Responding to question 1 on concerns regarding illegal immigration, President Cyril Ramaphosa says, “Inspections of employers’ premises are increasing. The Department of Employment and Labour is recruiting 10,000 inspectors and will increase penalties for employers… pic.twitter.com/E4wmthv11r

— ANC Parliament (@ANCParliament) June 25, 2026

The president said government would increase workplace inspections, recruit 10 000 labour inspectors over three years, upgrade key ports of entry, relocate refugee reception centres closer to borders, and introduce systems such as biometric population registration and electronic travel authorisation.

[WATCH] President Cyril Ramaphosa says the government is recruiting at least 10 000 labour inspectors who will deal with the exploitation of immigrants. He says this will happen in phases and may take up to three years. #Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/1b5FySRdXv

— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) June 25, 2026

Ramaphosa warned that while everyone in South Africa must be in the country lawfully, enforcement remains the responsibility of the state. He said security forces are prepared to deal with any attempts to incite violence or destabilise the country, urging leaders to promote peace and use legal channels to address concerns.

He also rejected claims that South Africans are inherently xenophobic, saying the government’s goal is to ensure that 30 June passes peacefully and that people can continue with their daily activities.