Foreign nationals should not compete for RDP houses with locals - Brian Kajengo
Africa Diaspora Forum (ADF) Provincial Chairperson in Mpumalanga, Mr Brian Kajengo has called on foreign nationals not to compete for state built houses (RDPs) with local residents as this often creates tensions in communities. Kajengo says the issue of RDPs has always been a thorny issue in most service delivery protests that have taken place in the country so far.
Kajengo, who also a Zimbabwean journalist based in Bushbuckridge, explained that ADF organisation represents foreign nationals from all parts of the continent in the country and it was formed in April 2013. He was speaking during the Public Participation Programme (Imbizo) conducted at Thulamahashe in Bushbuckridge Municipality on Saturday, 6 June 2015.
He has further pleaded with government to provide offices for asylum seekers in order to assist with the documentation of foreign nationals. He added that with the existence of such offices, it will no longer be necessary for foreign nationals to travel to main cities such as Durban, Cape Town and Johannesburg to sort out their documentation matters.
“As expatriates living in South Africa, we should not participate in criminal activities. Let us rather participate in community activities taking place around us. We must participate in the country’s crime prevention initiatives by among others rejecting and reporting stolen goods,” Kajengo said.
He insisted that those who buy stolen goods are exacerbating incidences of stealing from other people’s businesses. He said once foreign nationals buy stolen goods, the same people who sell those goods, would come and back and steal from them.
He has also asked the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) to assist people who have lived in the country for decades but do not have any citizenship. According to him, some even have children and grandchildren and they often have to rely on relatives to have their children documented.
Another challenge that he raised was the shorter employment contracts given to expatriates especially teachers. He said when their contracts had expired, it takes a long time to have them renewed and they would go for months without income and this negatively affected their wellbeing.
Kajengo further alleged that there are certain government employees who take advantage of the vulnerability of expatriates by making them pay “protection fees”. Kajengo further encouraged foreign nationals in Bushbuckridge to report corrupt officials to the police so that they are swiftly dealt with by the authorities.
On the other hand, Community Safety, Security and Liaison MEC Vusi Shongwe says while foreign nationals should not be attacked, those who come to South Africa, should not break the law or come without proper documentation. He further added that government will always ensure that its citizens are protected at all times.
He has also urged the communities not to take the law into their own hands saying communities should report any person who commits crime even foreign nationals who are living in the community so that the law takes its course.
The MEC says it is not African to attack people who come to the country, saying that communities should instead appreciate skills that most foreigners contribute to the country. He has also encouraged communities to rather learn more about other country’s cultures and ways of life.
Shongwe further reminded foreign nationals to stay in the country legally. He further said they should not operate their business illegally or sell stolen goods in their shops.
He has also called on parents not to allow children to participate in illegal marches or service delivery protests which are often marred by violence. He says some of them end with unnecessary criminal records and this affect their future job prospects. He called on young people not allow people with sinister motives to lure them into doing wrong things.
Mr Michael Mabunda who spoke on behalf of the local Chief, Eric Nxumalo says foreign nationals who are in the country are an integral part of the country’s economy because most of them are doctors, teachers and business people. Therefore, he says there is no reason for South Africans to harass them or steal from their business.
Provincial Community Police Forum Board member, Ms Irene Lincoln called on foreign nationals to stop using local women as their tickets to obtaining the country’s citizenship. Brown says marrying local women should be out of genuine love and not for ulterior motives.
The event was also supported by Bushbuckridge Local Municipality, traditional leadership, Department of Communication, SAPS, representative of foreign national business owners, SAPS, and other government departments.
Enquiries:
Joseph Mabuza
Cell: 082 678 1450
E-mail: emabuza@mpg.gov.za
