KwaZulu-Natal Thami Ntuli delivering the State of the Province Address, which outline his plans for the year.
Image: Supplied
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli has announced that the provincial government was looking to establish policies that would empower police to arrest citizens who accommodate illegal foreigners in their homes.
Delivering his State of the Province Address (SOPA) in Pietermaritzburg on Friday, the premier said his government would strengthen its #EngangeniNgesangoIyafohla (The one who is coming in through jumping a fence, is intruding).
He blamed some of the province’s citizens for encouraging illegal immigration by offering their homes to run tuckshops.
Ntuli has been seen on numerous occasions leading police officers in campaigns to close down shops run by illegal immigrants in several areas, including in Durban and Pietermaritzburg CBDs.
“Some of our citizens give accommodation or rent shops to undocumented foreign nationals and I believe we need to test the laws of our country on whether our police cannot also arrest them.
“If citizens can stop accommodating or renting shops to undocumented foreign nationals, they will leave our province,” he said.
He said the campaign to flush undocumented foreign nationals out of the province was not driven by hostility, but enforcing constitutional responsibility to uphold the law, safeguard community safety, and protect local economic development.
Weak border controls contribute to the influx of illegal foreign nationals into the province.
“It is, therefore, imperative that enforcement within communities is matched by strengthened border security.
“To this end, we are working closely with the Border Management Authority (BMA) to enhance coordination, intelligence sharing, and operational visibility at key border gates — beginning with uMhlabuyalingana (which is the border of the province and Mozambique).”
He said his government would provide the BMA with a second drone that would fly along the border lines that separate the province and neighbouring countries such as Lesotho, Mozambique, and Swaziland.
He mentioned the Lesotho border as being particularly vulnerable.
“The use of technology is no longer optional; it is essential in combating sophisticated cross-border criminal networks.
“Through strengthened border management, smart enforcement, and community partnership, we are building a safer, lawful, and economically resilient KwaZulu-Natal,” said Ntuli.
His 45-page-long speech was dominated by promises of investment and job opportunities worth billions of rand.
He said the province was fast recovering from the economic devastation caused by the July 2021 unrest and Covid-19 pandemic.
According to the premier, the province requires about 461,000 additional jobs to reduce unemployment from 30.8% to 20% as a policy target, which would require an estimated amount of R168 billion.
He said this could be achieved through coordination of public-private investment and district-focused industrial development strategies.
“The King Shaka International Public Link Solution will be revitalised to improve connectivity between Durban, Pietermaritzburg, Richards Bay, and Margate.
“KwaZulu-Natal is reclaiming its position as a strategic channel to the rest of the African economy, driven by a capable state, active social partnerships, and a shared commitment to inclusive economic renewal.”
He said the provincial government was building on the momentum of its 2025 KwaZulu-Natal Investment Conference to further consolidate investor confidence in the province.
“As a strong vote of confidence in our economic recovery programme, the conference secured pledges exceeding R100 billion for projects across strategic sectors in mining, logistics, automotive manufacturing, and agriculture.
“These investments are expected to significantly expand productive capacity, enhance the competitiveness of our economy, and deepen industrialisation across value chains.
“They also reaffirm KwaZulu-Natal’s strategic advantages — our ports, logistics corridors, agricultural potential, and skilled workforce — which continue to position the province as a gateway to regional and continental markets.”
He said plans were afoot to build a small harbour in Hibberdene, South Coast, to support skills development, enterprise growth, and increased participation in maritime economic activities along the South Coast.
He said this harbour would collaborate with the Coastal TVET College on the Boat and Yacht Building training programme.
“This programme covers not only manufacturing, but also repair and maintenance, expanding opportunities across the value chain,” said Ntuli.
While the government would continue to enforce its fight against illegal liquor trade, Ntuli said it would cough out over R150 million to empower 1,500 liquor traders in townships and rural areas.
“A new digital portal will streamline liquor licence applications and renewals, reduce administrative bottlenecks, and enable entrepreneurs to participate efficiently in the sector.
“The expanded unannounced, risk-based inspections will target high-risk operators, while intensified operations against illegal gambling and illicit alcohol will protect communities and legitimate businesses alike.”
He also touched on health, saying the government employed more than 240 nurses and more than 238 doctors last year.
He said because of employment, qualified doctors have since stopped picketing outside his office and provincial Department of Health headquarters demanding employment.
“Our recruitment strategy remains focused on critical clinical posts to stabilise facilities and reduce workload pressures.
“Emergency Medical Services have been reinforced through the addition of 44 new ambulances, and we are planning to buy more than 60 new ambulances in 2026,” said Ntuli.
However, uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) MPL Siphiwe Moyo was not impressed with the SOPA.
He said for Ntuli to mention the July 2021 unrest was directly attacking the MKP.
“That statement on its own is an attack on the MKP because they say it was because of president Jacob Zuma, which makes me say it was just a political statement,” said Moyo.