A burned shack in KwaZulu-Natal highlights the escalating frustrations of residents over illegal immigration, following recent arrests of undocumented individuals.
Image: Facebook / Mayor Mduduzi Myeza
As illegal immigration continues to stir unrest in KwaZulu-Natal, Inkosi Langalibalele Local Municipality Mayor Mduduzi Myeza has issued a grave warning that without government intervention, the public may feel compelled to enforce their own justice.
This statement follows the recent arrest of several undocumented immigrants, highlighting the growing frustration within the community.
Myeza said that on Monday, five undocumented foreign nationals were arrested in Esgodlweni, all of whom do not have documentation to be in the country.
“The first one was arrested for severely assaulting his girlfriend, even hanging her, saying he was going to kill her, and this girl is also pregnant. The sad part is that the girl says she doesn’t want to open a case against him but wants a protection order,” Myeza said.
“In the second incident, we received a tip-off about four men with guns living in a house, so we went straight to them. After talking to them, a gun and two rounds of large-calibre ammunition were recovered, and they also did not have papers to be in this country.”
KZN police spokesperson Captain Ntathu Ndlovu confirmed one of the incidents, the arrest of a 29-year-old woman and a 70-year-old man, alleged to be in a romantic relationship, at Rensburgdrift in Estcourt for contravention of the Immigration Act.
“Police were alerted by community members of a domestic dispute, and upon their arrival at the scene, the two individuals who were involved in the altercation were found to be foreign nationals who are believed to be in a romantic relationship. Both the man and the woman failed to produce documentation and were duly arrested,” Ndlovu said.
The aftermath of a fire at a shack housing illegal immigrants in Esgodlweni reflects the growing unrest within the community.
Image: Facebook / Mayor Mduduzi Myeza
Following the arrests, Myeza said: “If the government does not act on this matter of immigrants, people will be forced to take the law into their own hands.”
He said that following the arrest of the illegal immigrants, calls were received reporting that the shack they had been living in was on fire.
“I have already held a meeting with the District Commissioner General Gonya, and all the station commanders under Inkosi Langalibalele. What we agreed on is that there will be community meetings (izimbizo) in all clusters: Ntabamhlophe, Loskop, Central, Weenen, and Wembezi.
“At the meeting, we agreed that they should go, and for the izimbizo, we will invite all stakeholders, including the NPA (National Prosecuting Authority) and Home Affairs, because the police are complaining that they do the work of arresting, but then the courts release the suspects. Therefore, we need all these stakeholders.”
thobeka.ngema@inl.co.za