Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mmamoloko Kubayi, said government does not recognise the 30 June deadline set by anti-illegal immigration group March and March for undocumented foreign nationals to leave South Africa.
The group has announced plans for a national shutdown in support of its demand that undocumented migrants exit the country. However, Kubayi stressed that government’s approach to migration is guided by existing laws and directives from the President.
She said undocumented foreign nationals must be dealt with in accordance with South Africa’s immigration legislation, including due legal processes and deportation where necessary.
Meanwhile, Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber has reiterated that foreign nationals must ensure they have valid visas or legal authorisation to remain in the country.
His comments follow the repatriation of 586 Nigerian nationals who were found to be residing in South Africa illegally. The individuals were declared undesirable and have been barred from re-entering the country for five years.
Schreiber urged foreign nationals to regularise their immigration status to avoid similar action.
“Home Affairs is irrevocably committed to enforcing South Africa’s immigration laws and restoring the rule of law,” he said.
He added that deportations and repatriations have increased by 46 percent over the past two years, which he described as evidence of government’s commitment to immigration enforcement.
At the same time, Schreiber appealed to members of the public not to resort to violence or take the law into their own hands, stressing that immigration matters must be handled through lawful and orderly processes.
VOC News
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