Gungubele: Govt aware of ‘underlying’ factors causing anti-foreigner sentiment
Minister in the Presidency Mondli Gungubele says government is aware of the underlying factors responsible for the growing anti-foreigner sentiment in some areas of the country.
This week saw violent clashes between South Africans and foreign nationals in Alexandra, north of Johannesburg.
The clashes were sparked by members of the Dudula Movement, who attempted to remove foreign business owners and replace them with South Africans.
The clashes left at least four people injured.
Gungubele says while the government does believe that some jobs might have to be reserved for South Africans, it has to be done in a legal way.
“We know some of the underlying factors in this matter is economic insecurity by South Africans and the failure of South African businesses to abide with established protocol targets. All over Africa, there are pronouncements on how various countries are trying to protect jobs for their citizens.
“But South Africa’s approach is that we acknowledge that we can’t cut South Africa from the continent, but there are certain sets of jobs that we think should be protected for South Africans. But we walk that path with legality, if we allow illegality, the outcomes can be dire. It can only be resolved within the law of the country.”
ALSO READ
