Economic Freedom Fighters parliamentarian Sam Matiase has voiced sharp criticism of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s recent national address on immigration, questioning both its delayed timing and lack of concrete policy direction.
During a televised response, Matiase pressed why the executive branch chose to engage on the immigration issue at this particular moment, arguing that the President “has offered no solution whatsoever to the crisis.” He contended that the address appeared reactive rather than proactive, potentially prompted by diplomatic pressure from other African leaders who, he suggested, reminded Pretoria of the continent’s pivotal role in South Africa’s struggle for freedom.
Matiase referenced reports that continental counterparts may have expressed disappointment over recent xenophobic violence, with some allegedly describing South Africans as “ungrateful” for harming fellow Africans who supported their liberation. “South Africans will be in a rightful position to ask this question: Why only now?” he stated.
The EFF representative highlighted a pattern of government inaction amid recurring xenophobic and afrophobic attacks targeting migrants from across Africa. He characterized the state’s primary response—detention and removal via the Lindela Deportation Centre—as insufficient, noting the absence of sustainable, long-term strategies. Individuals deported through this system, he observed, frequently re-enter South Africa, underscoring the approach’s limitations.
Matiase further alleged that anti-foreigner rhetoric is not confined to fringe elements but exists within the highest levels of government. He pointed to what he described as an “Abahambe brigade,” allegedly composed of former convicts, which he claims certain cabinet members have leveraged to stoke prejudice and stereotypes against African nationals, particularly around election periods.
“We are calling on the president to act against those ministers who continue to fan these fires of hatred,” Matiase declared, directly citing Minister Gayton McKenzie as an example of an official whose conduct warrants presidential intervention.
The statement reflects escalating debate over South Africa’s immigration framework, with opposition voices urging a shift from enforcement-only tactics toward policies that balance domestic concerns with regional cooperation and human rights obligations.