A security analyst said the shutdown planned for 30 June 2026 should concern the state security apparatus.
Image: Doctor Ngcobo / Independent Newspapers
Security experts have urged the government to “close” the space being exploited by anti-illegal immigrant organisations and tackle the problem to avert disasters like the 2008 xenophobic violence. The experts spoke out as anti-illegal immigrant marches spread across the country, with a larger march said to be planned for June 30.
Security expert Dr Johan Burger said the government needed to close the space that is being taken advantage of by those organising marches. He said this situation is reminiscent of the xenophobic violence that erupted around 2008, where there was a perception that foreigners were responsible for many illegal activities. He noted that during that period, many were left destitute and living in tents, afraid to return to their homes. Even those who are in the country legally were fearful.
He said often, in such cases, those participating in the marches do not distinguish between legal and illegal immigrants. Burger said South Africa has had very lax border controls for a long time, which has created the problem.
“The perception that these organisations are creating is that if the country were to be rid of immigrants, it would become a paradise and there would be no more problems, which is not the case. It is not foreign nationals that are committing most crimes in the country; if one looks at the statistics in the prisons of people who are arrested, it’s mostly South Africans,” he added.
Security analyst and CEO of IRS Forensic Investigations, Chad Thomas, said the shutdown planned for June 30 should concern the state security apparatus.
“South Africans are frustrated about the high levels of crime, and scapegoating foreigners has become a convenient way of deflecting what are mainly governmental issues. We cannot afford a repeat of the devastating xenophobic attacks we witnessed in 2008.” The business community also expressed concern about the violent nature of protests and the negative perception they are creating in the business world.
Melanie Veness, the CEO of the Pietermaritzburg & Midlands Chamber of Business, spoke about the impact of the marches on business. “The actions being undertaken by groups such as this are extremely damaging; they erode business confidence, render us investment-unfriendly, and damage trade relations. I have just returned from an engagement in Germany with my counterparts from business associations across Africa. The objective was to try and work together to increase trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area,” she said.
Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Njabulo Nzuza revealed that the government is stepping up inspections from next week. “From next week, we will see tightened inspections on the ground,” he said in an interview.
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