Government to target core of xenophobic tension
Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba has briefed media on the recent xenophobic tension between South African citizens and foreign nationals.
Foreign nationals, many of whom are accused of being involved in crime, have been targeted in Rosettenville, Duduza as well as parts of Tshwane.
Minister Gigaba says communities have also raised concern over a lack of access to economic opportunities and jobs.
Gigaba condemned xenophobia in the strongest terms, but simultaneously admitted that the state needs to do more to address the violence as well as the communities' concerns.
"We must address matters raised by communities, in a legal framework, while ensuring, at all times, they also raise matters within the confines of the law," says Gigaba, addressing media from Cape Town.
Gigaba outlined a range of interventions to address the matter.
The minister called for visible policing in the affected areas and urged law enforcement to act against any criminals, regardless of their nationality.
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Gigaba says they have made various improvements at the Marabastad Refugee Centre, renamed the Desmond Tutu Refugee Centre, with officials mainly targeting corruption and bribery.
Migration management also urgently needs improvement, but Gigaba admits there is a shortage of capacity. South Africa's nationwide inspectorate unit only has 750 inspectors, compared to the city of London (UK) that has 3000 inspectors alone.
"Our department is pushing aggressively to have capacity boosted and systems developed, including in Immigration Management Services," says Gigaba.
Gigaba says they are working with businesses to ensure they comply with labour and immigration laws. Businesses are required to employ a minimum of 60% of South Africans.
63 undocumented employees working at three different Spar supermarkets have been arrested in Pretoria. The managers of two branches, Zambezi and Montana, are set to be charged.
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"Business be warned, we are coming for you," says Gigaba.
Home Affairs is also set to meet with various African Union ambassadors tomorrow, while protesters are expected to march from Marabastad to the Pretoria Home Affairs offices. Gigaba has met with the protest organisers and pleaded with them to act responsibly.
"The dynamics of migration, crime, drugs, prostitution, fraud and unfair labour practices are too serious to be turned into populist politicking," Gigaba concluded.