Mashaba calls for South African border closure to keep illegal immigrants out
Johannesburg mayor Herman Mashaba has called on the Department of Home Affairs to seal the country’s borders and ensure that no one comes into the country illegally.
Speaking at a DA-led march on Tuesday (28 February) Mashaba said that Johannesburg was currently facing a “crisis” due to an influx of foreign nationals and that resolution needed to be provided by home affairs minister Malusi Gigaba, according to a report by Times Live.
“The minister of home affairs wants to punch this country into chaos. We need to ensure that when people come to Johannesburg‚ they come legally and they respect the laws of this country,” said Mashaba.
“I had a meeting with the Africa Diaspora team and I will work with them to ensure that we hold the minister accountable to ensure that our borders are closed. Our people ought to be given documentation because we cannot live in a city and be able to provide services when people do not have documentation.”
This follows an ongoing spat between Gigaba and Mashaba and increasing xenophobic tension across the country as Home Affairs prepares to deliberate on the Refugees Amendment Bill and the consideration and approval of amendments to the Border Management Authority Bill.
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