The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) has called for the deportation of individuals residing in South Africa illegally, emphasizing that immigration processes must be respected and the rule of law upheld.
IFP National Spokesperson Mkhuleko Hlengwa stated that while the President’s recently announced action plan appears impressive at a high level, its success hinges entirely on practical implementation. He stressed that the priority must now shift to executing a detailed implementation strategy, securing adequate budgeting—particularly given fiscal constraints—and strengthening law enforcement to secure national borders.
“Verification of documentation for those who have documents, and clamping down on criminal elements and syndicates involved in producing fraudulent documentation, must begin,” Hlengwa said. He framed illegal foreign migration as a multifaceted national security crisis, citing strains on social services, healthcare systems, and widespread abuse of state resources.
Hlengwa argued the crisis also stems from a breakdown in regional diplomatic protocols, where neighboring states tolerate undemocratic practices and rogue elements that displace populations. He called for a dual approach: addressing root causes abroad while enforcing immigration law domestically.
When asked why South Africa has long struggled to address illegal migration, Hlengwa pointed to an absence of political will. He referenced historical context, noting that a former minister of home affairs was removed from cabinet in 2004 after championing stricter immigration legislation—a move he described as unprecedented. He suggested that certain leadership perspectives within the ruling party, influenced by historical solidarity, have been “misplaced and misguided” in assuming South Africa should operate as a “free for all.”
“Those who lived in exile during the struggle will tell you they did not roam freely in Tanzania or Zambia; they lived in contained, controlled environments,” Hlengwa noted, emphasizing that past cooperation was structured, not open-ended.
Regarding the President’s plan to dispatch special envoys to other African nations, Hlengwa said engagement is necessary but must be backed by facts. He cited recent statements from Ghana and Tunisia as examples of regional misunderstanding, stressing that South Africans are not opposed to immigration per se, but to illegal migration and its associated risks.
“We need to explain this distinction to the continent,” he said, adding that countries beyond Africa, such as Pakistan and Bangladesh, also need to understand South Africa’s position. He warned that without Treasury commitment to fund preventative and corrective measures, the state would continue to “bleed money in other ways.”
Hlengwa concluded with a clear position: “Those who are here in the country illegally should go.” The IFP maintains that lawful, systematic deportation processes are essential to restoring order and protecting public resources.
