ActionSA’s parliamentary leader, Athol Trollip, has claimed that more than 70% of patient files at Johannesburg clinics belong to foreign nationals, arguing that South Africa’s public resources are being stretched beyond capacity. The party has tabled proposed constitutional amendments aimed at addressing what it calls the country’s “growing immigration crisis.”
Clarifying the Constitution’s Preamble
Speaking in an interview, Trollip explained that ActionSA’s submission to the parliamentary constitutional review committee seeks to revise the preamble of the Constitution, which states that “South Africa belongs to all who live in it.” The party argues that this clause has been misapplied to extend rights to undocumented immigrants, putting strain on healthcare, education, and housing.
“We aim to clarify that South Africa belongs to its citizens, permanent residents, and legal immigrants—not those here illegally,” Trollip said.
Targeting Key Rights for Citizens
ActionSA’s proposal focuses on three key areas in the Bill of Rights:
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Healthcare – Limiting access to public health services for undocumented foreigners.
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Education – Prioritizing South African children in public schools.
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Housing – Restricting emergency housing rights to citizens and legal residents.
Trollip compared South Africa’s policies to those of the United Kingdom, where non-citizens do not have automatic access to public healthcare. “If you fall ill in the UK as a foreigner without insurance, you can’t claim NHS benefits—yet in South Africa, anyone, regardless of status, can access clinics and hospitals,” he said.
Border Control vs. Constitutional Reform
When questioned whether tightening border security would be more effective than amending the Constitution, Trollip acknowledged the need for stronger borders but insisted that millions of undocumented migrants already in the country are straining resources.
“We have between 5 to 10 million illegal immigrants, and simply securing borders won’t solve the immediate crisis,” he said. “We must prioritize South Africans first.”
International Treaties Unaffected
Trollip clarified that the proposed changes would not require South Africa to withdraw from international treaties but would align its domestic policies with practices in other nations.
Criticism and Next Steps
The proposal is likely to face opposition from human rights groups, who argue that denying basic services to undocumented migrants could worsen public health and social instability. However, ActionSA insists that the amendments are necessary to protect citizens amid high unemployment and failing public services.
The constitutional review committee will now assess the submission, with public hearings expected in the coming months.
