Public debate on immigration intensifies as ActionSA calls for clarity.
Image: IOL / Ron AI
ActionSA in KwaZulu-Natal has attempted to clarify its stance on the province’s immigration debate, with KZN chairperson Zwakele Mncwango stating that the party is fighting against illegal immigration, not immigration as a whole.
Mncwango addressed the issue following what he observed as a public misinterpretation.
“We are thinking we are fighting for the same thing, while we’re not. It’s more like you are walking in the same direction, but not to the same destination,” Mncwango said.
He said the party has a clear policy on immigration, and it is not against immigration, but illegal immigration.
“The challenge our country has is not just any foreigner; it’s an illegal foreigner, those who are in the country illegally with no documents, and those in the country with fraudulent documents,” Mncwango said.
“You can’t then have an issue with someone who applied for a job, followed the process, and then qualified to be here based on meeting the government’s criteria and our regulations in the country.”
Zwakele Mncwango: ‘We are not against immigration, but illegal immigration’.
Image: Doctor Ngcobo / Independent Newspapers
Mncwango said that all they are asking is that people coming into South Africa must have documents.
“But where one differs is a narrative that is now being concerned about the illegal immigration element; that’s where we are: to say government implements our laws, and government enforces our laws; that’s not being xenophobic, that’s being patriotic.
“But as soon as you are saying we don’t want any foreigners, that then becomes xenophobic because now it means you hate someone based on the fact that they’re not from your country, that’s how that qualifies as xenophobic attacks,” Mncwango explained.
He said those who are in the country illegally must return to their countries of origin. He dismissed the belief that all foreigners should be made to leave South Africa.
He attributed the start of the debate to what he saw as a misinterpretation by some individuals.
Mncwango said the controversy was triggered by the interpretation of what MK Party secretary-general Sibonelo Nomvalo said in an interview about immigrants.
Nomvalo said undocumented immigrants have broken the law, and must be arrested, adding that there was no need to chase away those who are documented. Furthermore, Nomvalo asserted that South Africans must be given priority over foreigners for job opportunities.
Mncwango said the issue lies in differentiating between undocumented and documented immigrants. While acknowledging the genuine public concern, the only solution to check document fraud is a thorough audit of all foreign-held documents by the Department of Home Affairs.
He said municipalities must also play a bigger role. For instance, motions at the eThekwini Municipality are a way of asking the municipality to play its part.
“All we are asking is, can we have a conference that can have resolutions towards these problems? Because again, you are trying to say there’s anger out there, but it requires leadership to address these things so that people on the ground don’t end up resorting to violence. When people see that leaders are doing something about this issue, they will be calm, and there won’t be violence. But when people see that leaders aren’t doing anything, anger escalates to a point where they become violent,” Mncwango said.
“Home Affairs, yes, must play a big role. Border management, we need to secure our borders.”
Mncwango added that people needed to understand what they are fighting for and what the fight is about.
thobeka.ngema@inl.co.za