A South African journalist has urged foreign nationals seeking opportunities in the country to use legal immigration channels, arguing that unlawful entry undermines law enforcement and fuels growing public concerns over immigration.
Saziso Dlamini, a journalist with Radio Khwezi, made the remarks during an interview on Eyewitness News on Thursday, July 2, as anti-immigration protests continued in parts of South Africa.
According to him, while South Africa remains welcoming to migrants, those entering the country should do so through the appropriate legal processes to enable authorities to effectively monitor and regulate immigration.
Mr. Dlamini explained that many protesters believe illegal immigration has intensified competition for limited employment opportunities, with some employers allegedly preferring undocumented migrants over South African citizens.
“South Africa is open to everyone,” he said. “It’s good that people come to South Africa, but they must follow the protocol.”
He noted that although the South African government has not endorsed the protests, many citizens view the demonstrations as a reflection of growing frustrations over illegal immigration and the perceived weak enforcement of the country’s immigration laws.
“Our government doesn’t like what people did, but people felt it was necessary,” he said, adding that some opposition political parties had also expressed support for the protests.
Responding to concerns that the protests could trigger retaliatory actions against South Africans living elsewhere on the continent, Mr. Dlamini acknowledged such a development would be unfortunate. However, he maintained that every country has the right to enforce its immigration laws and take action against individuals residing there illegally.
His comments come as anti-immigration demonstrations gathered momentum in several South African cities, including Pretoria, where hundreds of protesters marched through the city demanding stricter enforcement of immigration laws.
The protests have heightened anxiety among migrant communities, with some foreign nationals reportedly remaining indoors or temporarily relocating amid fears for their safety.
