PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa has assured the leaders of African countries to strengthen their hand against those who instigate violence, who harass and threaten immigrants in the country.
He also warned against the harassment of immigrants who are in the country legally, including those who have fled the country to escape violence in their countries.
“We are adamant that the law of the land must be respected. We have strengthened the law in order to prevent incidents of looting as well as violence against immigrants in this country. Immigrants must not be made scapegoats for problems facing the country such as the high level of unemployment, hunger, crime as well as motivation in the distribution of needs to the people,” Ramaphosa said while speaking at a meeting of the Pan African Parliament, in Midrand, yesterday.
He said there were negative incidents of beatings, threats and deaths of immigrants that should not happen again.
“People from other countries in this country must respect the laws of the country. Likewise, the people of this country must do the same.”
He pointed out that this problem needs everyone because this country cannot overcome it alone.
“This challenge requires the cooperation of all African countries. This challenge is not only facing our country but the continent of Africa as well as the world at large.”
He said that there is a need for cooperation in matters related to the failure of the government to solve the problem of poverty facing the people, as well as different challenges in the countries.
“We must look at the challenges that make people migrate to other countries in order to find a better life. Economic opportunities must be opened so that countries can develop, people can live,” he said, stressing that people must migrate to other countries because they want to, not because they are forced to.
He mentioned things like clean water, trade and infrastructure maintenance as things that must be addressed by countries.
“Climate change in the world, having a democratic government as well as people getting their needs are some of the things that need to be solved together like African countries. Many rivers flow in different countries in Africa and they are used together without including the issue of borders.”
He called on the members of this Parliament not to sit idly by but to contribute to the border problem.
“It cannot be left to the leaders of countries that affect the issue of borders. You are also leaders, so the issue of solving the challenges related to borders and the migration of people who leave their countries to find a better life in Africa must be a priority.”