PHALABORWA – Limpopo Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba has clarified controversial remarks she made while receiving a memorandum from anti-illegal immigration protesters in Phalaborwa after a video of the exchange circulated widely on social media and drew mixed reactions.

Hundreds of residents in Phalaborwa participated in the nationwide anti-illegal immigration march on Friday, July 10, marching to the Ba-Phalaborwa Municipality to submit a memorandum addressed to the premier and the municipality.

The march, organised by Edmund Mbetse and Marylin Mokwena, called for stronger action against undocumented foreign nationals, tighter immigration enforcement and stricter compliance with labour and municipal laws.

During the handover, Ramathuba received and signed the memorandum on behalf of the provincial government. She was in Phalaborwa for the province’s Service Delivery Week.

However, a clip of her saying “Hands-off Limpopo” quickly spread online, with some social media users claiming the premier was defending undocumented foreign nationals.

‘My remarks were taken out of context’

Responding to the criticism, Ramathuba said her remarks had been taken out of context. She reiterated that undocumented foreign nationals should not be allowed to remain in South Africa and emphasised that everyone living in the country must comply with the country’s immigration laws.

“Anyone who is not legally documented cannot be allowed to remain in the country. Everyone residing in any foreign country must comply with the country’s laws and immigration regulations,” she said.

Why she said ‘Hands-off Limpopo’

The premier explained that her statement was directed at reports that some South African citizens, particularly people from Limpopo, were being wrongly profiled during anti-illegal immigration campaigns because of their appearance or the languages they speak.

Ramathuba warned that such conduct would not be tolerated in the province.

Details of the memorandum

The memorandum submitted by marchers in Phalaborwa alleges failures in immigration control, border management, municipal by-law enforcement, and labour law compliance.

It also calls for:

• Reforms to the asylum system
• Stronger border security
• An audit of work permits and asylum documentation
• Stricter enforcement against businesses operating without valid licences
• Investigations into alleged corruption within the Department of Home Affairs
• An audit of RDP housing allocations and unlawfully occupied buildings
• Stronger protection of locally owned businesses
• Increased labour inspections in sectors where undocumented workers are allegedly employed

The premier accepted the memorandum and acknowledged the concerns raised, while maintaining that immigration enforcement must be conducted lawfully by authorities.

The marchers have given the provincial government 14 working days to provide a formal response to the memorandum.