Minister calls for calm before planned march against foreigners in Tshwane

23 February 2017 - 16:49 By Sipho Mabena
subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now
Minister of Home Affairs Malusi Gigaba
Minister of Home Affairs Malusi Gigaba
Image: LAUREN MULLIGAN

Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba has met organisers of a contentious planned march in Tshwane against foreign nationals planned for Friday and appealed for for calm.

He said issues raised by the organisers‚ Mamelodi Concerned Residents‚ were around competition for jobs‚ access to economic opportunities and alleged criminal activities involving foreign nationals‚ including accusations of drug-peddling and prostitution.

Dozens of foreign-owned shops and properties have been attacked in Atteridgeville‚ Mamelodi and Pretoria West in the past week‚ raising concerns of an outbreak of xenophobic violence.

  • We're coming to get you‚ Gigaba warns businesses employing undocumented foreignersHome Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba has vowed to crack down on businesses that hire undocumented foreigners‚ saying it stoked tension between foreign nationals and locals. 

The minister said the government was deeply concerned about possible unrest which might result in loss of life and damage to property. This was why the cabinet had expressed full support to his department as well as to the Justice‚ Crime Prevention and Security cluster to move speedily in resolving issues to the satisfaction of communities.

“Government responded speedily to the latest outbreak of violence. We have directed all security officials to be visible in communities and to objectively deal with criminality‚ regardless of whether it is committed by a South African or a foreign national‚” the minister said.

  • Gigaba blames business as xenophobia spreadsBusiness‚ specifically the hospitality and retail sectors‚ are being targeted by the Home Affairs Minister‚ Malusi Gigaba‚ as he addresses tensions between citizens and foreign nationals. 

He said as was the case in other parts of the world‚ immigration had taken centre stage. Immigration had proven to be an emotive and contentious issue globally.

“It has been used to divide citizens‚ with the view that it poses a serious threat and socio-economic challenges for receiving countries. South Africa is not unique in this regard. Many countries are wrestling with anti-immigrant sentiments. Its manifestations may be seen in some of the issues affecting communities‚ and are discernible also in the issues exploited to perpetrate criminal activities‚” he said in Cape Town on Thursday. “We must respond in a humane and lawful manner‚ taking into cognisance the genuine frustrations of communities‚” he said.

  • Gigaba refutes claims that foreigners must constitute 40% of SA companiesHome Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba has refuted as “completely baseless” and a “blatant lie” claims on social media that he wants foreign nationals to constitute 40% of every company in South Africa. 

Gigaba said‚ there would be no gain from xenophobic violence‚ pointing out that the opportunistic who took part in violence eroded the human face the nation had struggled hard to acquire.

“While a more measured approach may not make me the most popular politician‚ I believe it is the right thing to do‚” he said.

Gigaba called for compliance with the constitution and other laws of the country‚ by citizens and foreign nationals.

He said his department had "prioritised documentation of persons in South Africa‚ and deportation of those who are undocumented”.

The minister said 33 339 illegal immigrants had been deported in the 2015/16 financial year.

subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now