‘Let it be a vote for progress, for recovery’: Ramaphosa calls for unity and end of looting

President Cyril Ramaphosa has condemned violence, looting, and attacks on businesses linked to anti-illegal immigration protests, warning that the government will act to protect lives, property, and lawful businesses.

Addressing the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s 170th anniversary gala dinner in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), Ramaphosa warned that criminals were exploiting tensions around illegal migration to stoke instability and target businesses.

There are those who are exploiting public sentiment around illegal migration to stir up communities and to provide cover for criminality.

Ramaphosa said attacks on businesses will not be tolerated, adding that concerns over illegal immigration must not be used as a pretext for criminality or for turning communities against one another.

We refused to be divided. And we were determined to rebuild.