South Africa Name-Drops Ruto In Fight Against Illegal Immigration
President William Ruto’s June State Visit to South Africa has emerged as the focal point of the country’s defence against accusations that it has been ostracised as a result of recent xenophobic allegations.
In a news conference hosted by President Cyril Ramaphosa’s office, Presidential Spokesperson Vincent Magwenya noted Ruto’s State Visit as evidence that South Africa remained strongly connected to its neighboring African nations.
The South African government denied that the country had become a ‘pariah state’, claiming that it had regularly condemned violence against foreign nationals.
“Recent evidence shows that this is a false campaign. South Africa is not isolated. On the contrary, South Africa remains firmly engaged with our African continent and the rest of the world,” he said.
“South Africa is not isolated. South Africa remains firmly engaged with our African continent, as well as the rest of the world.”
Vincent Magwenya, South Africa’s presidential spokesperson, says claims that the country is isolated over anti-illegal immigration protests do not… pic.twitter.com/CoQa6yzhvN— News Central TV (@NewsCentralTV) July 15, 2026
The spokesperson also accused unnamed diplomatic representatives of circulating false material to give the impression that South Africa had been rejected by its African neighbours.
As part of its defence, South Africa highlighted Ruto’s three-day State Visit to Pretoria, which began on June 3, 2026, at Ramaphosa’s invitation.
The President arrived at Waterkloof Air Force Base aboard a privately chartered Boeing, sparking debate over his continued use of leased luxury aircraft for official travel.
During the visit, Ruto and Ramaphosa held bilateral talks, where they discussed strengthening diplomatic relations, expanding trade and investment and regional security.
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While in the foreign country, the Head of State also attended a Kenya-South Africa Business Forum aimed at boosting commercial ties between the two countries.
Magwenya said Ruto’s visit formed part of a broader diplomatic agenda that has seen Ramaphosa engage leaders across Africa, including the Presidents of Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe.
“Since the beginning of this year to date, President Ramaphosa has engaged with various leaders on the African continent, hosting President Ruto on a state visit and discussing issues of migration with the Presidents of Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe,” said Magwenya.
South Africa’s reference to Ruto’s visit comes against the backdrop of rising tensions over anti-immigrant protests that have affected thousands of foreign nationals, including Kenyans.
In June and July this year, the Kenyan government undertook an emergency evacuation operation that saw more than 400 Kenyans repatriated from South Africa over xenophobic violence.
The returnees, who reported widespread intimidation, harassment and threats of forced evictions, were flown back to Kenya aboard Kenya Airways at the government’s expense.
South Africa Name-Drops Ruto In Fight Against Illegal Immigration
