Source: ANA
DST News: Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) leader Velenkosini Hlabisa has renewed his call for the deportation of undocumented immigrants from South Africa, insisting that migration should only be allowed for people with scarce and needed skills. Speaking at the IFP’s 50th anniversary celebration in Soweto, Hlabisa said the party remained steadfast in its stance against illegal migration, arguing that undocumented foreigners burden South Africa’s health system, public services, and job market.
He stressed that foreign nationals without proper documentation or specialized skills should be repatriated so that job opportunities can go to South Africans. The IFP, he added, supports legal, tax-paying migrants who comply with national laws and contribute to the economy.
Hlabisa further urged the Government of National Unity (GNU) to use all lawful means to protect borders and remove those residing in the country unlawfully. He proposed that 80% of jobs in all companies be reserved for South Africans, emphasizing that the nation’s prosperity depends on empowering local youth, women, and entrepreneurs. He also called for township spaza shops to be run by locals, not foreigners.
The IFP’s stance aligns with other parties such as Operation Dudula, ActionSA, and the Patriotic Alliance, which have also demanded the deportation of undocumented migrants. Meanwhile, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi announced plans to demolish illegal informal settlements—many allegedly occupied by undocumented foreigners—drawing criticism from analysts who accused political leaders of exploiting the issue to gain support ahead of the 2026 local elections.
