Minister takes flak over spate of attacks

THE Department of Home Affairs came under fire from the opposition in parliament yesterday as they blamed recent xenophobic violence on the department’s inability to execute its mandate

Migration and, in particular, the issue of illegal immigration, has come under the spotlight in South Africa in the wake of the devastating xenophobic attacks.

Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba announced during his budget speech yesterday that a comprehensive review of the 1999 white paper was one of five priorities his department was focusing on in the coming year.

Also on the list of priorities were the establishment of an effective border control management agency and the revamp of six major land ports of entry.

But DA MP Haniff Hoosen said this was too little, too late.

Hoosen said the reason for the xenophobic attacks was because the department had failed to execute its mandate.

The minister had failed to invest in border security and in resourcing the inspectorate of the department, he said.