# President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on His Majesty King Misuzulu Zulu to encourage peaceful demonstrations among those raising concerns about illegal immigration. He hosted the King at the Official Presidential Residence in Pretoria yesterday. The Presidency says the engagement forms part of the government’s ongoing consultations with key stakeholders and social partners to strengthen […]
# Acting Police minister Firoz Cachalia says officers will not be deployed to stop lawful demonstrations tomorrow, but to ensure that they take place safely and in an orderly manner. This comes as organisations are set to hold anti-immigration protests around the country. Addressing SAPS members in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, on Sunday, Cachalia stressed that the rights […]
# The Networking HIV and AIDS Community of Southern Africa, has called for improved national data on drug use, warning that weak information limits effective policymaking. NACOSA’s Yolaan Andrews says current figures do not accurately reflect the scale of substance use or the services required. Andrews says decentralising services through clinics and community programmes can […]
# South African Communist Party secretary-general Solly Mapaila has confirmed the party will not participate in tomorrow’s national anti-immigration protest. Mapaila condemned demonstrations targeting other Africans, stating that all Africans should feel like they belong in the continent. He argued that South Africa’s challenges stem from capitalism and corruption, not African migrants. He maintained that […]
# Township tourism operators say ongoing immigration demonstrations are hurting the sector through cancellations and declining visitor confidence. Soweto Tourism chairperson Thato Mothopeng says uncertainty, fewer bookings from African tourists and South Africa’s international image as a xenophobic destination are affecting businesses. He says some potential investors are considering other countries. Meanwhile, Soweto Tours founder […]
# MK Party Member of Parliament Vusi Shongwe is set to appear before the Madlanga Commission this week. Shongwe, who informed Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee of the invitation, is expected to testify about a Durban meeting he attended at the request of arrested Crime Intelligence head Feroz Khan. His appearance forms part of the commission’s […]
# Nigerian ambassador to South Africa Alexander Ajayi has urged South Africa not to blame migrant communities for crime. Speaking during a Migration and Social Cohesion discussion in Parliament, Ajayi said criminals should be prosecuted individually, not on the basis of nationality. Ajayi warned that attributing crime to Nigerians fuels discrimination, hostility and xenophobic violence. […]
# The Activists and Citizens Forum has criticised the plea agreement between the Investigation Directorate Against Corruption and businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, describing it as lacking transparency. Matlala and the State agreed to an eight-years imprisonment on charges including corruption, fraud and money laundering. The group spokesperson Dennis Bloem claims the deal could undermine public […]
# Immigration experts have warned that the South African government’s response to migration tensions risks emboldening anti-migrant vigilante groups. Wits University researchers Loren Landau and Pierre Misago say some community organisations are taking the law into their own hands, targeting migrants with the alleged support of local police. The African Centre for Migration and Society […]
