ANC urges coordinated government, civil society and security response to illegal immigration, citing crime, undocumented migration and lawlessness concerns after unrest in Durban, while rejecting violence, xenophobia and vigilantism.
Image: DOCTOR NGCOBO Independent Newspapers
The African National Congress (ANC) in KwaZulu-Natal has called for an urgent multi-sector response to address rising tensions over illegal immigration in Durban, following chaotic scenes outside Diakonia.
ANC provincial spokesperson Sifiso Sonjica said the situation reflects growing complexity around illegal immigration and requires a coordinated response involving government institutions, the private sector, non-governmental organisations, human rights advocates, traditional leaders, and religious communities.
Sonjica said the challenge extends beyond law enforcement and demands collaboration across sectors to develop lasting solutions to what the party described as an increasingly complex issue.
“The challenge of illegal immigration and its consequences go beyond law enforcement. It demands a collective response from government institutions, the private sector, non-governmental organisations, human rights advocates, traditional leaders, and the religious community, among others,” Sonjica said.
He said the call follows recent chaotic scenes outside Diakonia, which the ANC views as a sign of rising tensions in Durban and surrounding areas linked to illegal immigration, allegations of criminal activity, and general intolerance.
Sonjica said South Africa’s constitutional values must be upheld while condemning violence and lawlessness.
“South Africa is a constitutional democracy founded on the rule of law, equality, and human dignity. As such, the ANC condemns acts of violence and lawlessness by anyone, irrespective of their immigration status,” he said.
The ANC also raised concerns about illegal immigration, undocumented foreign nationals, criminal syndicates, illegal trading activities, and the disregard for municipal bylaws in some areas.
“In the same vein, we need to accord importance to addressing serious and legitimate concerns regarding illegal immigration, undocumented foreign nationals, criminal syndicates, illegal trading activities, and the disregard of municipal bylaws in certain areas,” Sonjica said.
The party called for intensified law enforcement action. It urged the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) Cluster to convene urgently to address migration management, weaknesses in border control, system abuse, and related criminality.
The ANC said that even as new immigration legislation is undergoing the parliamentary process, existing laws are already sufficient to manage illegal immigration. It called on the state to implement the law without fear or favour.
“Therefore, the ANC calls upon all sectors to collaborate in addressing what is essentially a global phenomenon that, among other things, requires law enforcement agencies to intensify their efforts to ensure the full implementation of the laws of the Republic,'' Sonjica said.
He said South Africa’s sovereignty must be protected and its borders secured, while also rejecting xenophobia, vigilantism, and violence against vulnerable individuals.
“The ANC holds a firm view that South Africa's sovereignty must be protected, its borders secured, and its people kept safe at all times.
''However, the ANC equally rejects any form of violence, vigilantism, xenophobia, or unlawful conduct directed at vulnerable individuals,” Sonjica said.
Sonjica added that justice must be pursued through lawful means and warned against irresponsible political rhetoric.
“The ANC further notes that some among political and community leaders have succumbed to the lure of populism and are acting irresponsibly in handling this moment, seemingly oblivious to the fact that their actions and utterances may create instability and reduce our country to a pariah state amongst the nations of the world.
''This moment calls for calm and mature leadership to emerge,” he said.
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