Online Reporter
Mkhululi Ncube [email protected]
THE Zimbabwe Community in South Africa has welcomed South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa’s assurance in tackling the immigration challenges facing that country, which has resulted in victimization of foreigners including Zimbabweans.
This follows a wave of protests by various vigilant groups calling on African foreign nationals to leave that country by June 30.
Some political parties have also joined the fray as they hope to capitalize on the sensitive mater to score cheap votes ahead of the local government elections to be held on November 4.
In his address last night, President Ramaphosa said challenges facing South Africa cannot be blamed on illegal immigrants.
“South Africa faces persistently high levels of unemployment, especially among young people. Too many families are struggling to make ends meet. Too many communities are experiencing poverty and inadequate access to opportunities,” he said.
“In such circumstances, frustration can easily be directed at those perceived to be competitors for jobs and resources. Yet we must recognise that illegal immigration is not the cause of all our economic challenges.”
President Ramaphosa also warned that only the authorised government officials may act against violations of the law, including violation of immigration laws.
“No other person is allowed, for example, to confront someone in the street to demand proof of nationality,” said President Ramaphosa.
He said Government will act against any forces exploiting the concerns of the people about illegal immigration to further their own political, personal or criminal agendas.
Reacting to the address, Zimbabwe Community in South Africa chairperson Mr Ngqabutho Mabhena hailed the move by South Africa to address the matter as things were beginning to spiral out of control.
“We are happy as the Zimbabwe Community in South Africa and the Africa Diaspora Forum in that the President emphasized that there is no private citizen who has the right to be going around inspecting people`s documents, that is the responsibility of the state,” he said.
“We have always so raised this issue that is only the police and immigration officials that are trained to inspect people`s documents and make a determination whether they are in the country legally or not.”
Mr Mabhena also bemoaned the move by Ghana to report South Africa to the Africa Union over the matter saying it was unnecessary as the West African country has a few of its citizens in that country.
Zimbabwe has a large chuck of its citizens in South Africa and recent developments were raising concerns for many families locally.
-@themkhust
