Zuma: Grievances cannot be dismissed by merely labelling it ‘xenophobia'

He was speaking at the official opening of the House of Traditional Leaders in Parliament.

“We made a call to provincial governments and municipalities to revitalise townships and rural economies, including general dealers and spaza shops. We are aware that the ownership of tuckshops and spaza shops is a major contention between citizens and foreign nationals,” said Zuma. 

He called on government to ensure that the competition for scarce economic opportunities and resources do not lead to serious tensions and violence.

Zuma says another grievance is the hijacking of houses or buildings that end up being used as drug dens.

“These houses are allegedly used as brothels, drug dens and for child trafficking. Government, through the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Migration, is looking at all these issues to find lasting solutions,” he says.

He said government will continue to provide humanitarian assistance to refugees and asylum seekers, but will not allow the free flow of illegal migration.

“South Africans cannot be expected to allow illegal immigration. Progress has been made towards a Border Management Authority, which will be responsible for border law enforcement. It will facilitate the movement of both people and goods,” he says.