Premier Makhura tightens grip on illegal migration
GAUTENG Premier David Makhura has blamed the Department of Home Affairs for helping increase the growing number of illegal immigrants in the country by failing to process their valid applications.
He was speaking yesterday during the oral question session at the provincial legislature. He indicated that his administration had no apologies about its Okae Molao operation against criminality, which involved a crackdown on illegal immigrants and counterfeit goods within the province despite accusations of xenophobia.
Makhura said the national department had to account for its role in the crisis of immigration.
“Up to recently, Home Affairs was not processing a lot applications. We have a lot of people who are in our country who came legally with papers but their papers expire and they get illegalised,” he said.In recent weeks, different clusters of the government, led by the SAPS and the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD), raided the country’s economic hub where they confiscated counterfeit goods worth millions of rand. Makhura said a number of illegal immigrants who were nabbed in the operation had already been sent to the Lindela Repatriation Centre where they would wait be sent back to their respective countries.
Makhura said while some have criticised the raids, the government was going to increase them, with one being scheduled for tomorrow.
“We, as a self-respecting country, need to know how many people are coming into our country who are not South African, whether they come from the continent or Asia or Europe.
“We also need to know those who are coming here for no good, who are here to turn our country into some illegal business,” Makhura said.
Makhura insisted that the country’s laws embraced those who came from outside its borders, just as South African freedom fighters were accepted in many countries during the Struggle, adding that they also had to be accounted for by their political organisations.
“There are a lot of Africans who are in our country because conditions are difficult.
“Some of them are running away from wars and others are running away from persecution.
“They will come to a country that is more peaceful, but we need to ensure that there is proper documentation for everybody,” he said.
On counterfeit goods, Makhura said the country’s poor border controls, including at ports, were playing a significant role in increased criminal activity in the province and the country.
“These counterfeit goods go with drugs, where our country is turned into the drug den of the South, linked with some other countries. “The issue of strengthening our border security is something that is a priority,” he said.
The provincial government, through the economic development department, is also in the process of drafting new, potentially controversial legislation, the Township Economy Development Act, where certain industries and economic activities will largely be ring-fenced for locals.
Makhura defended the planned legislation, saying it was what many countries were doing.
“We feel very strong that we can’t have a situation where even the smallest type of economic activity in the township is open for all kinds of traders when our local economy is able to do that,” he said.
At its core, the legislation will seek to ensure a province-wide regulatory framework to lessen burdens of small businesses and safeguard certain areas of business of local players.