President Cyril Ramaphosa told Parliament on Tuesday that those responsible for recent attacks on foreign nationals will be arrested and prosecuted once the police have gathered sufficient evidence. He said some suspects have already been detained and more arrests are planned.
Action promised, evidence awaited
Replying to questions from Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema, the President said law enforcement will pursue people who caused injury or death and those seen to be organising the violence are of "direct interest to the police." He emphasised that prosecutions will follow when investigators have established the necessary evidence.
"Some perpetrators of violence had already been arrested and that there would be further arrests and prosecutions when the police had gathered enough evidence," the President said.
Malema had pressed the President over why, in his view, many perpetrators seen on camera or in public gatherings had not been arrested. He suggested that visible inaction created the impression the violence was being tolerated or even aided by the state, and said this perception hardened attitudes among other African nations.
In Parliament, Malema highlighted instances where alleged perpetrators were identified in footage and said two of them had later gone to meet the President — a reference to a June meeting Ramaphosa held with leaders associated with the Insizwa Nobunsizwa movement, including Ngizwe Mchunu and Nkosikhona Ndabandaba. "You should have locked them up that day," Malema said.
President rejects notion of isolation by African leaders
Ramaphosa also rejected claims that South Africa had been snubbed or isolated by African leaders because of the attacks. He said the government is engaged in diplomatic activity with continental counterparts and called for dialogue on migration and its root causes — a theme he raised publicly as part of efforts to reassure other countries about Pretoria's stance.
The President reiterated the state's commitment to protect foreign nationals and to hold accountable those who commit violence against them. He stressed the focus on individuals who caused bodily harm or death, while investigations continue into those alleged to have organised or led attacks.
- Some suspects arrested: Ramaphosa said arrests had already been made.
- Further arrests to follow: Additional charges will be laid when police secure sufficient evidence.
- Diplomatic engagement: The President denied South Africa had been isolated by other African leaders and affirmed ongoing continental dialogue.
| Issue | Positions given in Parliament |
|---|---|
| Arrests and prosecutions | Some arrests made; more prosecutions when evidence is sufficient (President) |
| State condoning violence | Malema said inaction gives impression of state-sanctioned violence; President rejected this |
| Diplomatic relations | President said South Africa not snubbed and is engaging other African leaders |
The exchange underlines a persistent national debate about how effectively the South African Police Service and other security agencies respond to outbreaks of xenophobic violence. Opposition concerns focus on visible impunity where perpetrators appear in public or on video, while the Presidency emphasises the need for admissible evidence to secure convictions.
Parliamentary scrutiny and public pressure are likely to continue as victims and civil society groups press for accountability and protection for foreign nationals living in South Africa. The President's commitment that those who have caused injury or death will be pursued places the onus on investigators and prosecutors to show progress in bringing cases to court.
Details such as the number of suspects arrested, the charges laid and the timelines for prosecutions were not provided in Parliament and remain developing points to watch as police investigations proceed.
