The Presidency confirmed that Ramaphosa will speak at 18h00 on Sunday, 7 June 2026, from the Union Buildings in Pretoria, where he is expected to outline the government’s management approach to illegal migration and the recent surge in protests against foreign nationals. The SABC will provide a broadcast feed to media houses, while PresidencyZA will livestream the address on digital platforms.

The address comes amid rising tensions over March and March’s 30 June deadline, which the anti-illegal immigration movement has set for undocumented foreign nationals to leave South Africa. The deadline has triggered fear in some communities and intensified debate over how the government should respond to illegal migration without allowing intimidation, vigilantism or violence to take root.

In recent weeks, anti-illegal immigration protests have spread across parts of the country, with police intervention required in some areas after threats were reportedly made against foreign nationals and their property. The Citizen reported that March and March are among the organisations at the forefront of the protests and have set what it described as a hard 30 June deadline for undocumented foreign nationals to leave the country.

However, the 30 June deadline is not an official government deadline. AFP Fact Check reported that the government has not issued any directive ordering undocumented foreign nationals to leave South Africa by 30 June, warning that fake notices using state symbols have been circulated to mislead communities and cause panic.

The President’s address is expected to place the government under intense public scrutiny. On one side are communities demanding stronger action against illegal migration, border weaknesses, alleged job competition, and crime. On the other hand, there are fears that public anger may spill over into xenophobic attacks against foreign nationals, including those who are legally in the country.

The government has already warned citizens not to take the law into their own hands. SA News reported that Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said the government has introduced measures to curb illegal immigration, including the establishment of the Border Management Authority in 2023 to strengthen border control. She also warned against vigilantism in response to illegal migration.

The situation has also drawn international concern. Reuters reported that Mozambique said five of its nationals had died in South Africa amid anti-immigrant violence, while hundreds of Mozambican citizens were being repatriated following attacks and rising fear.

Ramaphosa has previously condemned violence directed at foreign nationals, saying such acts do not represent South Africa’s people or government policy. In a recent weekly letter, he said everyone in South Africa must respect and uphold the country’s laws.

Sunday night’s address is therefore expected to be more than a routine presidential statement. It comes at a moment when the government must show that it can enforce immigration laws, protect communities, secure the country’s borders, and prevent South Africa from descending into violence against foreign nationals.

For Ramaphosa, the challenge will be to speak firmly enough to reassure South Africans demanding action, while making it clear that no organisation, political formation, or protest movement has the authority to enforce immigration laws outside the Constitution.

The nation will be watching closely at 18h00. For many, the key question is whether the President will announce a concrete plan, or simply appeal for calm as the 30 June deadline approaches.

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