Thousands take to the streets of Durban to voice their disapproval for illegal immigrants in the country. Picture: Doctor Ngcobo/Independent Newspapers
Image: Doctor Ngcobo
While there is growing tensions in Durban over illegal immigration, allegations of criminal activity and rising anti-foreigner sentiment, the African National Congress (ANC) in KwaZulu-Natal has called for an urgent multi-sector intervention to prevent further instability.
The party’s appeal followed the chaotic scenes outside the Diakonia in central Durban, which the ANC believes reflects mounting frustration and volatility around immigration-related issues in parts of the city and surrounding areas.
ANC provincial spokesperson Sifiso Sonjica said the situation had become increasingly complex and cannot be addressed through policing alone.
He stressed that the issue required coordinated intervention involving government departments, law enforcement agencies, businesses, civil society organisations, traditional leaders, faith-based groups and human rights bodies.
“The challenge of illegal immigration and its consequences go beyond law enforcement. It demands a collective response from government institutions, the private sector, non-governmental organisations, human rights advocates, traditional leaders, and the religious community, among others,” Sonjica said.
His remarks come at a time when public tensions around undocumented immigrants, illegal trading, crime and pressure on municipal resources have become a major flashpoint in Durban and across South Africa.
The ANC acknowledged growing public concern over illegal immigration, undocumented foreign nationals, criminal syndicates and the failure to enforce municipal bylaws in certain areas.
“In the same vein, 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,” Sonjica said.
At the same time, the ANC warned against allowing frustration to spill into violence, vigilantism or xenophobic attacks.
“South Africa is a constitutional democracy founded on the rule of law, equality, and human dignity. As such, the ANC condemns acts of violence and lawlessness by anyone, irrespective of their immigration status,” he said.
The party has now called on the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) Cluster to urgently convene and intensify efforts around migration management, border security, system abuse and criminality linked to undocumented immigration.
According to Sonjica, South Africa already has sufficient legislation to deal with illegal immigration, but enforcement remains the key challenge.
“Therefore, the ANC calls upon all sectors to collaborate in addressing what is essentially a global phenomenon that, among other things, requires law enforcement agencies to intensify their efforts to ensure the full implementation of the laws of the Republic,” he said.
While emphasising the need to secure South Africa’s borders and protect communities, the ANC also cautioned political and community leaders against inflammatory rhetoric that could deepen divisions.
“The ANC holds a firm view that South Africa's sovereignty must be protected, its borders secured, and its people kept safe at all times.
“However, the ANC equally rejects any form of violence, vigilantism, xenophobia, or unlawful conduct directed at vulnerable individuals,” Sonjica said.
He further warned that populist political messaging around immigration could destabilise the country and damage South Africa’s international standing.
“The ANC further notes that some among political and community leaders have succumbed to the lure of populism and are acting irresponsibly in handling this moment, seemingly oblivious to the fact that their actions and utterances may create instability and reduce our country to a pariah state amongst the nations of the world.
“This moment calls for calm and mature leadership to emerge,” he said.
DAILY NEWS