Ad Hoc Joint Committee on probing violence against foreign nationals to focus on root causes in its work
The Ad Hoc Joint Committee on Probing Violence Against Foreign Nationals will focus on the root causes of the problems that have led to the violence against foreign nationals when it embarks on its work.
The Co-Chairperson of the Committee, Ms Ruth Bhengu, said recommendations of the Committee on possible solutions will look to the root causes as opposed to the symptoms of the problem. “Because in my view the violent attacks on foreign nationals are a symptom of a problem that we have to identify and in identifying the problem, we should also try and get to the root causes of the problem. Like for instance, in one of the reports it is said that our migration laws have something to do with some of the problems that we are faced with. So, that becomes the problem, but the root cause of the problem may be who wants to migrate to South Africa and what is forcing that person to leave his or her country,” she said.
The Committee will embark on an oversight visit to KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng provinces in July and in the Western Cape in August to meet with provincial structures that are dealing with violence against foreign nationals, organised labour of the affected sectors, organisations that are actively involved in the fight against violence on foreign nationals and with communities and organisations that are affected in these areas.
The Committee will also embark on a public participation process that will allow interested persons and organisations to make written submissions to the Committee on this subject so that the Committee can get as many views as possible from South Africans.
The Chairpersons of the Committee will apply for the extension of the reporting deadline to both the National Assembly and National Council of Provinces from the end of August deadline, to allow the Committee to do thorough work on probing violence against foreign nationals.
For media enquiries or interviews with the Chairpersons, please contact:
Ms Faith Kwaza
Parliamentary Communication Services
Tel: 021403 8062
Cell: 081 377 0686
Email:fkwaza@parliament.gov.za
