Foreign nationals should not compete with locals for RDP houses, says ADF
Competing for government-built houses can create tension within communities.
MBOMBELA – Foreign nationals living in South Africa should not compete with locals for state-built (RDP) houses because it “causes tension within communities”.
This was the message of Africa Diaspora Forum’s (ADF) Provincial Chairperson in Mpumalanga, Mr. Brian Kajengo at the Public Participation Program (Imbizo) in Bushbuckridge on Saturday.
Kajengo, who is himself a Zimbabwean journalist living in Bushbuckridge, said the issue of RDP houses has been “a thorny issue in most service delivery protests that have taken place in the country so far”.
The ADF is an organisation which represents foreign nationals from all parts of the continent living in South Africa. It was formed in 2013.
Kajengo added that foreign nationals should not participate in crime, like stealing or buying stolen goods.
“As expatriates living in South Africa, we should not participate in criminal activities. Let us rather participate in community activities taking place around us. We must participate in the country’s crime prevention initiatives by among others rejecting and reporting stolen goods.”
In conclusion, Kajengo called on the government to provide offices across the country for asylum seekers which will assist them with the administration of their legal documents. This way, foreign national do not have to travel to major cities, like Johannesburg or Cape Town for their legal matters.
The government will consider Kajengo’s requests and respond in due time.
