Gigaba lashes Joburg mayor for immigration comments
Home Affairs Minister, Malusi Gigaba says Johannesburg mayor Herman Mashaba's comments about immigration could spark xenophobic attacks.
Gigaba outlined the department's plans for the festive season, which include extended operating hours at borders and the deployment of additional staff.
He said Mashaba's comments on immigration management could end up having unintended consequences.
"The mayor's remarks about immigration necessitated a meeting about immigration management," Gigaba said.
This comes after Mashaba said undocumented foreigners in Joburg could be linked to criminal activities.
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Gigaba says majority of travellers to South Africa are from the African continent and are in the country legally.
A total of 255 additional staff will be deployed at all ports of entry across the country. With the O.R. Tambo International Airport being the busiest airport on the continent, Gigaba says 92 additional staff members will start work today.
"They start at 6 in the morning until 11am - which is a peak period for flights arriving," Gigaba said.