Online Reporter
PRETORIA. – The South African government has intensified efforts to manage migration and strengthen border security ahead of planned nationwide demonstrations against illegal immigration scheduled for June 30.
Speaking at a media briefing in Pretoria on Friday, the newly appointed Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on Migration said a total of 15 162 Malawian nationals had been processed for deportation and repatriation as of Thursday, while more people remained under verification.
The committee, established by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa following his June 7 national address on migration, said it continues to oversee the implementation of a five-point strategy aimed at strengthening immigration enforcement, securing the country’s borders, improving migration management systems, reviewing relevant legislation and enhancing cooperation with neighbouring countries.
To accelerate the repatriation process, the government has extended the jurisdiction of the Musina refugee reception office in Limpopo Province to conduct verification of undocumented foreign nationals.
Noting it would work with partners including the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and the International Organisation for Migration, among others, the committee said: “We have activated all logistics relating to the repatriation of foreign nationals in Musina.”
It also said that a site outside Musina has been identified for a temporary repatriation processing centre to facilitate faster verification and deportation procedures, and the temporary repatriation centre currently operating in eThekwini, KwaZulu-Natal Province, will be closed once logistical arrangements for transferring the remaining Malawian nationals to Musina are completed.
Ahead of the planned demonstrations tomorrow, the government reiterated that the day would be treated as a normal working day and warned against vigilantism and xenophobic violence.
“Violence and intimidation against foreign nationals and citizens are against the law and will be prosecuted in accordance with relevant legal prescripts,” said the committee
Countries including Malawi, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, and the Democratic Republic of Congo are helping their citizens return home voluntarily.
At the Beitbridge border crossing alone, over 8 200 foreign nationals were repatriated in less than two weeks.
President Ramaphosa has warned anti-immigration groups against trying to impose the so-called deadline.
“The enforcement of immigration laws rests with the state,” Mr Ramaphosa told the National Council of Provinces last week.
“The security forces are ready,” he said, “Those who transgress the measures we are putting in place will meet the might of the law.”
Thousands of immigrants have already left South Africa because of a rise in anti-immigrant protests and violence.
The government says it’s deported 100 000 foreigners in the last two years and stopped half a million at borders trying to enter without documents.
In Durban, dozens of people took part in another anti-migrant march on Saturday. – Xinhua-africanews.com
