DEPUTY President Paul Mashatile has strongly condemned the ongoing marches against undocumented foreign nationals.
He called for immigration law enforcement to adopt a more balanced approach by scrutinising all foreign visitors, rather than disproportionately targeting undocumented individuals from Africa.
Mashatile was responding to questions about crime-fighting strategies and the ongoing marches against undocumented foreign nationals in the National Assembly on Thursday, 21 May.
Condemnation of vigilante action
He described the current marches as "mob justice" and urged South Africans to allow authorities to handle immigration matters through proper legal channels.
He stated: "Government will continue to prioritise South Africans, whether in jobs or in other services, but we will deal with issues of criminals very decisively because we are a country that believes in laws. We are an orderly country. We must never allow any mob psychology and the killing of people when there are laws that can deal with these challenges."
Call for even-handed enforcement
The deputy president called for a more equitable approach to immigration enforcement, which will ensure that all foreign nationals, regardless of origin, are treated fairly under South African law.
"Our law enforcement agencies must use the law to deal with people who come into the country. And it must not just be a focus on Africans. Anybody who's coming into our country illegally, the security forces must enforce the law," said Mashatile.
The deputy president also condemned the violence linked to the marches.
"On the issue of vigilante groups, I addressed a meeting of the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) this morning before I came here and did condemn that," said Mashatile.
By calling for immigration authorities to examine all foreign visitors regardless of origin, Mashatile appears to be addressing concerns about selective enforcement and the need for consistency in applying immigration laws.
Context of rising tensions
Mzansi has experienced periodic tensions around immigration, with some communities, including the March and March Movement, organising marches and protests against undocumented foreign nationals.
These actions have sometimes escalated into violence, raising alarm among human rights organisations and government officials.
Rule of law emphasis
Mashatile emphasised the importance of leaving matters to the authorities, underscoring the government's position that immigration enforcement must operate within the framework of law and due process.
It remains to be seen how law enforcement will deal with the community's ultimatum given to foreign nationals to leave the country by 30 June.
