The City of Johannesburg’s lawyers have written to the new Minister of Home Affairs, Ayanda Dlodlo, demanding that her Department advise on the specific measures, plans and interventions they have for illegal immigration in Johannesburg.
The minister has been given until 24 November to respond. Executive Mayor Herman Mashaba said if she fails to respond by then, the City will pursue the matter through the courts.
“In the interests of inter-governmental relations, as espoused in the Constitution, I have, for over a year and on numerous occasions, sought an audience with the Department of Home Affairs. These attempts have been in vain,” the mayor said on 16 November.
“Many people, out of desperation borne out of political, social and economic instability in their countries, seek a better life in South Africa, and the city of Johannesburg in particular.
“As undocumented immigrants, many of these people make it past our borders and are forced to live on the fringes of our society, in the shadows and with limited protection.”
Mashaba said it is essential that national government take appropriate steps aimed at the identification and processing of illegal immigrants who reach Joburg. He wants qualifying immigrants to be given legal documentation, and immigration centres or stations to be set up.
“National government should take the necessary steps to engage with other spheres of government, particularly the City of Johannesburg, to address the pressing concerns referred to.”
The mayor believes illegal immigration compounds serious challenges of temporary emergency accommodation for residents, and other basic services within Joburg.
“As matters stand, there are still over 120 allegedly undocumented immigrants being housed at the Wembley Stadium in line with the City’s obligation to provide temporary emergency accommodation.”
This followed a fire at Cape York building in the inner city in July. Now into the fourth month, the Department of Home Affairs has still not determined the status of these residents, Mashaba said.
The City has also conducted numerous raids within the inner city, in conjunction with the Department of Home Affairs, Mashaba said. During this process, over 260 allegedly undocumented immigrants were arrested.
The minister’s spokesperson, Mava Scott, released a statement on 19 October which said Dlodlo had noted the initial media statement and various media reports. It continued and said ‘…
Mashaba’s court bid to force the Department of Home Affairs to deport undocumented foreigners from the City of Johannesburg’.
We approached Scott after the recent announcement. In response to questions, he said, “We have not received a letter from the City of Joburg. Once we do, we will certainly respond to the contents thereof at that time.”
Also read:
#THEBIGISSUE – ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION
