"Foreign nationals face consequences: Panyaza Lesufi's tough stance"
Title: Tough Talk on Foreign Nationals: Panyaza Lesufi's Stand and South Africa's Deportation Stats
Panyaza Lesufi, the ANC co-convenor in Gauteng, has stirred up conversations by urging undocumented foreigners to either regularize their stay in South Africa or peacefully depart. During a recent address at the party's lekgotla in Johannesburg, he brought up the issue of overpopulated informal settlements and blending into the local community, stating that such situations are unacceptable in South Africa.
He went as far as writing to President Cyril Ramaphosa and relevant ministers regarding the matter, expressing concern over the presence of undocumented foreigners in our country. Lesufi emphasized that a period of leniency towards such individuals has come to a close, and a firm stance should be taken. In classic South African fashion, he highlighted the ubuntu philosophy but stressed that it should not be misused.
Simultaneously, the Gauteng Department of Health has criticized community members who have been preventing patients from gaining access to Kalafong Tertiary Provincial Hospital in Atteridgeville, Tshwane, by demanding identity documents at the gate. This incident gains traction as a heavily pregnant Zimbabwean woman was reportedly turned away due to lacking identification.
Meanwhile, the Department of Home Affairs has revealed an increase in deportations of undocumented immigrants, making the 2024/2025 financial year the period with the highest number of expulsions in at least five years. The department confirmed that 46,898 undocumented immigrants were deported during this timeframe, representing a significant 18% increase from the previous year's 39,672.
The progressive number of deportations exceeds the combined figures of deportations conducted by both France (22,000) and Germany (20,000) throughout the same period. For the past five years, the total number of deportations can be summarized as follows:
- 2020/2021: 14,859
- 2021/2022: 20,093
- 2022/2023: 22,560
- 2023/2024: 39,672
- 2024/2025: 46,898
As South Africa grapples with the issue of undocumented foreign nationals and responds to public concerns, calls for stricter border security and substantial policy changes have been growing louder. Panyaza Lesufi's call to action could lead to broader policy discussions and adjustments regarding illegal immigration.
- Panyaza Lesufi's call for undocumented foreigners to regularize their stay or depart has sparked discussions about illegal immigration in South Africa.
- Lesufi's statement at the ANC's lekgotla in Johannesburg highlighted concerns over overpopulated informal settlements and blending into the local community, advocating for a firm stance on the issue.
- The Department of Home Affairs reported an increase in deportations of undocumented immigrants during the 2024/2025 financial year, making it the period with the highest number of expulsions in at least five years, exceeding the combined figures of deportations conducted by France and Germany.
- The call for a firm stance on illegal immigration and stricter border security, coupled with the growing concerns about overpopulated informal settlements and local community blending, has led to increased calls for policy changes in South Africa's policy-and-legislation sector, with politics around this general-news topic gaining traction.
