The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) has taken a firm stance on illegal immigration in eThekwini, advocating for the expulsion of foreign nationals and highlighting the strain on local resources. This call to action comes amid revelations of systemic corruption within South Africa's immigration system.
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The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) has made a strong declaration advocating for the expulsion of illegal foreign nationals from Durban and emphasising the importance of adhering to South Africa’s immigration laws.
This stance was articulated during a recent meeting convened by the IFP’s eThekwini District, which featured discussions with municipal councillors centred on pressing issues affecting local communities.
As the number of illegal migrants continued to rise within the city, IFP leaders emphasised the urgent need for compliance with national immigration regulations.
“Illegal foreigners have no place in eThekwini,” declared party representatives, citing the strain that unlawful residents place on resources and public services in the area.
The meeting served not only to highlight the challenges of illegal immigration but also to assess other pressing needs of the community, with the aim of improving conditions by 2026.
Councillors and district leaders engaged in robust dialogue regarding service delivery issues, exploring strategies to enhance the quality and availability of essential services for residents.
The IFP reiterated its commitment to working collectively to safeguard local communities and restore order where necessary, while prioritising the well-being of eThekwini’s residents.
Jacinta Zuma, founder and leader of March and March, welcomed the IFP’s stance on migration.
“We are happy as a community. Can we please go and remove them from their shops across our towns and buildings?” she said.
The IFP’s stance reflects a growing sentiment among some residents who are increasingly demanding that local governance prioritise their safety and welfare.
Recently, the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) uncovered systemic corruption in which visas and residence permits were effectively commodified, generating financial gains exceeding R181 million by officials within the Department of Home Affairs.
“The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has uncovered a disturbing reality: South Africa’s immigration system has been treated as a marketplace, where permits and visas were sold to the highest bidder,” acting SIU head Leonard Lekgetho said.
“The investigation reveals that the country’s borders were not protected by law but auctioned off through corruption. South Africa was being sold one permit at a time,” he said.
The investigation was authorised by President Cyril Ramaphosa under Proclamation 154 of 2024. An interim report outlining the findings has since been submitted to the President and made public.
According to the SIU, the corruption was not incidental but organised and deliberate.
Officials entrusted with safeguarding the integrity of the department allegedly turned their positions into “profit-making schemes”, working with external actors and syndicates to manipulate systemic weaknesses.
“The SIU has also traced financial gains exceeding R181 million associated with beneficiaries of fraudulent visa applications, which were supported by fake documentation,” Lekgetho said.
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