Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola condemned violence against migrants.
Yolanda Mdzeke/News24
Minister Ronald Lamola condemned violence against migrants,calling it a threat to South Africa’s constitutional order and regional integration efforts.Lamola said that only 12% of South Africans interviewed had heard of the African Continental Free Trade Area.He said Police Minister Firoz Cachalia said on Friday morning that the government will act against those who target migrants.Violence against migrants is a threat to the constitutional order,International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola said on Friday.
Lamola delivered closing remarks at an inter-departmental workshop to develop a strategy and identify priorities for South Africa’s chairship of the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
Lamola said a vision of a common future in which all people of the region enjoy socio-economic well-being,improved quality of life,freedom,peace and social justice guides their work.
“But the path ahead is not without obstacles,” he said,according to the copy of his speech distributed to the media.
ADVERTISEMENT
“The first is the public mood in our own country,including weak public awareness of regional integration and the recent acts of violence and intimidation directed at migrants from our continent.”
He noted that an Afrobarometer survey from 2025 found that six out of 10 South Africans believe it is better for our economy if we make it easier to trade with other countries.
READ | Xenophobia has ‘no place in our constitutional democracy,’ says Police Minister Cachalia
“That gives us a basis on which to build a stronger narrative about regional and continental integration.”
ADVERTISEMENT
“But there is also a warning we must take seriously. Only 12% of South Africans interviewed had heard of the African Continental Free Trade Area. This means that more than 80% of our citizens were unaware of one of the continent’s most important economic integration projects.”
He said they must demonstrate that ordinary South Africans stand to gain from regional integration.
“This task is even more urgent in light of acts of violence and intimidation directed at migrants from elsewhere on our continent.
Lamola added:
South Africa is governed by the rule of law and respect for human rights. No civilian has the authority to assume the functions of law enforcement agencies. Acts of lawlessness,intimidation and violence against migrant communities have no place in our constitutional democracy.
He said Police Minister Firoz Cachalia said on Friday morning that the government will act against those who foment chaos and target migrants.
Lamola said: “These acts of violence constitute a threat to our constitutional order.
“The pronouncement that all those found to be participating in,inciting or supporting such criminal conduct will face the full might of the law must be welcomed by all of us.”
READ | Iran’s new supreme leader seriously wounded,delegates power to Revolutionary Guards
He said the second obstacle is the global geopolitical climate.
“The ongoing conflict in the US-Israel war on Iran and Lebanon has already sent shockwaves through the global economy,with direct consequences for our region. Our societies are experiencing rising oil prices,higher fertiliser costs and cost-of-living challenges.”
He said this is compounded by unemployment,particularly for the youth,climate-related shocks,food insecurity,disrupted livelihoods,transboundary animal diseases and the burden of communicable diseases.
“These pressures come at a time when many of our countries are already carrying a heavy debt burden. These developments will only worsen our structural vulnerabilities,” said Lamola.
He noted that growth across the region remains modest and that intra-regional trade continues to fluctuate between 19 and 23%,while manufacturing contributes just over 12% to regional GDP.
ADVERTISEMENT
United News - unews.co.za