South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has warned that people responsible for instigating or carrying out violence against immigrants will face arrest and prosecution.
Ramaphosa issued the warning during a question-and-answer session in Parliament as concerns continue over anti-immigrant sentiment and violence in parts of South Africa.
The President said South Africa’s security agencies were already gathering information and evidence relating to individuals allegedly involved in violent actions against people from other countries.
“There will be arrests,” Ramaphosa said, according to a report on his parliamentary remarks.
He stressed that the government must respond firmly to violence while also recognising the concerns surrounding illegal immigration.
Ramaphosa has previously warned South Africans against taking immigration enforcement into their own hands, insisting that only authorised government officials have the power to enforce immigration laws.
In a June address on migration, he said South Africa must not allow legitimate concerns about illegal immigration to become a justification for xenophobia, racism, Afrophobia or violence against foreign nationals.
The South African government has also repeatedly warned that attacks on foreign nationals and law-enforcement officials will be dealt with under the law.
Ramaphosa’s latest warning comes amid heightened scrutiny of South Africa’s response to anti-immigrant protests and violence, with the government under pressure to balance immigration enforcement with the protection of constitutional rights and public safety.