During the meeting, Ramaphosa acknowledged that South Africans have a constitutional right to protest but stressed that demonstrations must remain non-violent and comply with the country’s legal framework.
He also assured the group that government is already addressing concerns over undocumented foreign nationals through legal and constitutional channels, warning against vigilante action targeting migrants.
The talks come amid escalating tensions ahead of nationwide anti-immigration demonstrations, which have triggered fears of renewed xenophobic violence in parts of the country.
The protests, which began intensifying in April 2026, have been driven by groups accusing undocumented migrants of taking jobs, contributing to crime and increasing pressure on public services.
The campaign has been further heightened by a 30 June deadline issued by protest leaders demanding that undocumented foreigners leave South Africa.
Although economists and researchers have challenged claims that migrants are the primary cause of unemployment and crime, frustration linked to South Africa’s high joblessness and economic hardship has continued to fuel public anger. In response, the government has pledged tighter border controls, faster deportation processes and stronger enforcement of immigration laws, while condemning attacks on foreign nationals.
The unrest has already resulted in deaths, displacement of thousands of migrants and the closure of migrant-owned businesses in affected areas. Police have been deployed in large numbers across hotspots, with the military placed on standby to prevent further escalation.
Several African countries have begun evacuating or preparing to repatriate their citizens as insecurity grows. Uganda, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Ghana and Zambia are among those that have initiated contingency measures.
In Uganda, authorities have begun preparations to evacuate citizens following warnings from High Commissioner Paul Amoru, who described the security situation as “real” and worsening.
Amoru said about 1,000 Ugandans had so far registered for evacuation, describing them as “severely distressed and vulnerable” individuals requiring urgent government-assisted return.
He said the unrest had spread across several provinces, including KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng — which includes Johannesburg and Pretoria — and parts of the Western Cape, where migrant communities have faced heightened tensions.
“In many of these areas, there has been scapegoating of African immigrants, with claims that they are taking up jobs meant for locals,” Amoru said.
He attributed the violence to coordinated actions by local vigilante groups targeting foreign nationals amid economic frustrations and unemployment pressures.
The High Commissioner said evacuation efforts would prioritise Ugandans who have lost livelihoods, been displaced, or are living in high-risk areas. The programme will include government-funded air tickets, emergency travel documents issued at no cost, and coordination with South African authorities for safe movement.
Amoru also said the Uganda High Commission in Pretoria is working with community leaders to verify and register eligible evacuees, under guidance from Kampala and coordination with the Office of the Prime Minister and relevant ministries.
He clarified that Ugandans with valid residency permits, stable employment and established businesses are not immediately affected, as diplomatic engagements continue to stabilise the situation.
The South African government has assured foreign missions that security agencies are being deployed to restore order and arrest perpetrators of violence against migrants.
Amoru also confirmed that at least one Ugandan national had been killed in KwaZulu-Natal after being attacked and robbed, underscoring the severity of the situation.
The developments highlight growing regional concern over rising anti-immigrant sentiment in South Africa, where tensions over unemployment and migration continue to fuel unrest and shape diplomatic responses across Africa.
Uganda now joins a growing list of countries implementing emergency measures to protect its citizens as the situation unfolds.