KZN government to chart course on foreign nationals

KWAZULU-NATAL Premier Thami Ntuli has announced that the provincial government will convene another high-level forum this month to tackle the growing challenge of illegal immigration and chart a way forward on migration management, public safety and social cohesion.

Addressing the Kwazulu-natal Legislature on Thursday, Ntuli said the province would use the gathering to outline practical interventions aimed at addressing concerns around undocumented immigrants while promoting lawful and peaceful coexistence.

He said the forum would go beyond policy discussions and focus on developing actionable solutions to migration-related challenges facing communities across the province.

‘‘Together, we can demonstrate that Kwazulu-natal has the capacity to confront difficult challenges and the wisdom to resolve them through consultation, cooperation and sound decision-making,’’ said Ntuli.

The premier acknowledged growing concerns among communities about the impact of undocumented immigrants on public safety, the economy, employment opportunities, service delivery and social wellbeing.

However, he stressed that migration itself was not the problem.

‘‘The issue of migration is not a problem. The challenge facing government is how to manage migration in a manner that protects human dignity, upholds the rule of law, strengthens public confidence and ensures that development benefits all people living in our communities,’’ he said.

Ntuli emphasised that government would continue to distinguish between people who are legally in South Africa, including refugees and asylum seekers, and those who are in the country without legal authorisation.

‘‘Our objective is to confront facts with honesty, challenges with solutions and concerns with decisive leadership. We reject xenophobia, but we also reject the notion that compliance with the law is optional,’’ he said.

He added that government alone could not solve the issue and called on communities, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to work alongside law enforcement agencies and government departments.

‘‘The reality is that no single institution can address this challenge alone. Success will require cooperation between government, law enforcement agencies and the public,’’ said Ntuli.

The premier is already spearheading the Engangeni Ngesango Iyafohla Programme of Action, an initiative aimed at identifying undocumented immigrants in the province. The programme conducts inspections at businesses suspected of employing undocumented foreign nationals and investigates allegations of non-compliance with immigration and labour laws.

The upcoming forum follows an earlier stakeholder engagement that brought together representatives from government departments, law enforcement agencies, traditional leaders, business organisations, labour groups, civil society formations, religious leaders, academics and community representatives.

Ntuli urged all sectors of society to participate in developing sustainable and lawful solutions to migration-related challenges.

Meanwhile, anti-illegal immigration activist Jacinta Ngobese-zuma and founder of the anti-illegal immigration movement, March and March, has appealed for peaceful and lawful conduct ahead of planned nationwide protests on June 30 calling for undocumented immigrants to leave South Africa.

In a message posted on Facebook, Ngobese-zuma urged supporters not to engage in criminal activities such as vandalism or looting.

She warned that any unlawful conduct would undermine the credibility of the campaign and provide ammunition to critics opposed to the protests.