Ramaphosa says foreign actors may be fuelling anti-migrant violence

President Cyril Ramaphosa says the government is investigating alleged attempts by forces outside South Africa to influence and instigate some of the violence against foreign nationals, while rejecting claims that South Africa is losing its standing as a Pan-African voice.

Responding to questions from EFF leader Julius Malema and DA MP Ryan Smith during oral questions in the National Assembly, Ramaphosa said the government was investigating those responsible for violence inside the country and alleged external actors.

He said the government was “deciphering precisely the various roles” played by South Africans and outsiders who wanted to destabilise the country by creating conflict between South Africans and Africans from other countries.

Ramaphosa did not identify the alleged outside actors or provide details of the evidence underpinning the claim.

He said African governments had recognised that “quite a bit” of the activity, though “certainly not all of it”, was being propelled and instigated from outside South Africa.

Malema had pressed Ramaphosa on why alleged instigators and perpetrators of violence had not been arrested and prosecuted, arguing that the failure to act against them created the impression that the violence was state sanctioned.

Ramaphosa said the police and security apparatus were investigating the instigators , gathering reports and evidence, and pursuing those responsible.

“A number of other people have been arrested,” he said, adding that people believed to be leading the violence were also “of direct interest” to police.

He said those responsible for violence against foreign nationals would be pursued and charged.

However, Ramaphosa declined to provide a timeline for arrests and prosecutions when Malema pressed him on the issue. “I do not really like to give” a timeline, he said, arguing that it would depend on the speed and determination of the police and prosecuting authorities.

Malema’s initial question focused on the effect of anti-migrant and Afrophobic actions on South Africa’s standing in Africa, including the diplomatic engagements undertaken by international relations & co-operation minister Ronald Lamola .

Ramaphosa rejected the suggestion that South Africa’s continental standing had been seriously damaged. He said South Africa remained a “respected member” of the African community of nations and a “principled Pan-African actor”.

The president said the government had publicly rejected xenophobia , Afrophobia, vigilantism and discrimination against people from other countries.

He said South Africa had reinforced its commitment to Pan-Africanism through its engagement with the Southern African Development Community (Sadc), the AU and partner states on migration, governance and regional integration.