Flouting of immigration regulations a concern
The Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs has noted with concern recent media reports alleging the involvement of some foreign nationals in criminal activities within the country. The Committee is alarmed that these criminal elements are violating the laws of this country thereby putting in jeopardy the basis on which they are in South Africa.
These incidents, ranging from the mugging of SABC news journalists to their alleged involvement in killing of police officers along the N3, highlight the challenge of foreign nationals breaking the laws of the country. While the Committee does not suggest that the crime problem in the country is purely caused by foreign nationals, it strongly cautions all foreign nationals, both documented or undocumented, to abide by all the laws of this country.
The Committee has long been aware of the large number of immigrants entering the country under the pretext of seeking political asylum while actually they are here for financial reasons. This and other related reasons informed the call by the Committee for the department to strengthen the current immigration regulations.
Despite this, the Committee strongly objects to acts of violence against foreign nationals such as experienced in Isipingo, KwaZulu-Natal and the looting of shops owned by foreign nationals across the country. The Committee wishes to remind all South Africans that the country is a signatory to the United Nations and African Union’s conventions on refugees.
Furthermore, the country has taken a conscious decision against the encampment policy in order to ensure freedom of movement as well as encourage self-reliance. It is with this decision in mind that the Committee supports the intervention in Isipingo by the Minister of Home Affairs to assist those foreign nationals wishing to stay in the country and assisting those foreign nationals intent on returning to their countries.
The Committee will in the near future hold a symposium where they will receive presentations on the challenges faced by foreign nationals as well as foreign shop owners. This is a measure aimed at finding workable and lasting solutions to these challenges.
For media enquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact:
Malatswa Evans Molepo
Cell: 081 512 7920
Tel: 021 403 8438
E-mail: mmolepo@parliament.gov.za
