BELLVILLE, Western Cape — Residents and anti-illegal immigration advocacy groups in Bellville are intensifying their demands for the strict enforcement of the Immigration Act and local labour laws, arguing that unchecked business operations have left South Africans struggling to find work. Omuhle Gumede, national representative for the Labour and Civic Organisation (LACO), joined the ongoing dialogue to address the impact of recent enforcement efforts and the continued push for weekly national protests.
The renewed push follows a national call for weekly anti-illegal immigration demonstrations. Recently, residents and several advocacy groups marched to the Department of Home Affairs in Bellville to ventilate their grievances, with another demonstration scheduled to take place later in Paarl.
Bellville, a bustling hub for both formal and informal trade, has seen a visible shift on the ground. Local informal traders operating at the central bus stop report a significant decrease in the number of foreign nationals trading in the area following the June 30 compliance deadline. Additionally, a heavier presence of law enforcement officers has been noted in and around the Bellville area, though customer foot traffic for local vendors remains steady.
Addressing the impact of these enforcement efforts, Omuhle Gumede expressed satisfaction with the changes in the informal trading sector. He noted that Bellville has become noticeably quieter compared to the period before the June 30 deadline, marking a significant difference in the local informal trade landscape.
However, LACO remains highly critical of the formal employment sector. Gumede stated that visits to garages, restaurants, hotels, and shops—particularly in Cape Town—revealed that many businesses ignored the June 30 directive. He alleged that these establishments continue to employ foreign nationals and accused business owners of arrogance when confronted about the issue. He specifically pointed to Somali-owned businesses operating at the Bellville station, claiming they continue to employ undocumented foreigners without benefiting South African citizens.
When questioned about the potential economic impact of strict enforcement on local employment, Gumede affirmed that the organization’s goal is to see foreign workers removed from the country until the matter is fully resolved, regardless of their documentation status.
He alleged that the Department of Home Affairs is corrupt “to the core,” claiming that many documents in circulation are fraudulent. To illustrate this, Gumede used a hypothetical example of a man named “Muhammad,” explaining how a single valid document might be copied and shared among multiple individuals to secure employment. This example highlighted the systemic loopholes the organization claims exist and aims to close through continued pressure and protest action.
