Following volatile clashes outside Durban’s Diakonia Centre, the ANC in KwaZulu-Natal has demanded a unified, multi-sectoral crackdown on illegal immigration, border weaknesses, and unlawful trading. While calling on the security cluster to enforce existing laws strictly, the party took a hard line against rising vigilantism and slammed populist leaders for stoking xenophobic tensions.
Image: DOCTOR NGCOBO Independent Newspapers
The African National Congress (ANC) in KwaZulu-Natal has called for a decisive, coordinated, and multi-sectoral response to address the growing complexities of illegal immigration and the rising social tensions surrounding it.
The ruling party’s provincial leadership stressed that the challenges and consequences of undocumented migration extend far beyond basic law enforcement. Instead, it demands a collective strategy involving government institutions, the private sector, non-governmental organisations, human rights advocates, traditional leaders, and religious communities.
In a statement issued by the provincial spokesperson Sifiso Sonjica, collaboration among these diverse groups is essential to developing lasting solutions to an increasingly volatile issue.
Rising Tensions in Durban
The urgent call follows recent chaotic scenes that played out outside the Diakonia Centre in Durban. The party flagged these clashes as a clear indicator of brewing anger and general intolerance linked to illegal immigration, allegations of criminal activity, and lawlessness in Durban and its surrounding areas.
While acknowledging public frustration, the ANC reminded citizens that South Africa is a constitutional democracy founded on the rule of law, equality, and human dignity. Consequently, the party condemned all acts of violence, regardless of the immigration status of those involved.
However, the ANC emphasised that the public's legitimate grievances cannot be ignored.
"We need to accord importance to addressing serious and legitimate concerns regarding illegal immigration, undocumented foreign nationals, criminal syndicates, illegal trading activities, and the disregard of municipal bylaws in certain areas," said Sonjica.
Security Cluster Put on Notice
To combat these systemic issues, the ANC has urged the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) Cluster to convene urgently. The security cluster is expected to address critical gaps in migration management, border control weaknesses, system abuse, and the broader criminality linked to undocumented migration.
The ANC maintained that South Africa's sovereignty must be protected, its borders secured, and its citizens kept safe at all times. Yet, it drew a firm line against vigilantism.
"The ANC equally rejects any form of violence, vigilantism, xenophobia, or unlawful conduct directed at vulnerable individuals. No community has the right to take the law into its own hands. Every human being, regardless of nationality or status, must be treated with dignity and must be protected from harm."
A Warning Against Populism
The provincial leadership further argued that while new immigration legislation is currently making its way through Parliament, the state already possesses sufficient legal provisions within the existing framework to manage illegal immigration. It has urged state organs to enforce these laws "without fear or favour".
In a sharp rebuke directed at rival political figures, the ANC warned against the exploitation of community anxieties for political gain.
The party noted with concern that certain political and community leaders have "succumbed to the lure of populism", acting irresponsibly and seemingly oblivious to the fact that their rhetoric could destabilise the region and turn South Africa into a pariah state.
"This moment calls for calm and mature leadership to emerge," said Sonjica.
Ngizwe Mchunu one of the prominent figures linked to the anti-illegal immigration movement, March and March, had his house set alight on May 10 by unknown men in Mbumbulu, south of Durban.
Image: SUPPLIED
The ANC's call comes at a time when three figures linked to the anti-illegal immigration movement, March and March, Ngizwe Mchunu, Mthokozi "Felemntwini" Gumede and Nkosikhona "Phakel'umthakathi" Ndabandaba — have reportedly come under attack.
Mchunu's home in Mbumbulu, south of Durban, was allegedly set alight by unknown individuals, leaving his musician wife, Floda Graé, with only a suitcase of clothes, while their children escaped with little more than the clothes on their backs.
Gumede's family home in Harding, in southern KwaZulu-Natal, was also vandalised by unknown people who broke the aluminium windows and doors after he organised a protest against foreign national-owned businesses in the small town.
On Wednesday, Gumede's brother was allegedly attacked by unknown men.
Meanwhile, March and March supporters gathered in Pinetown on Wednesday for another protest march, where Mchunu revealed that Ndabandaba could not attend because he had allegedly been receiving death threats from people in his hometown of Nongoma.
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