The debate about immigration in SA, as in many parts of the world, is a hugely polarising one that is often soiled by the politics of hate and discrimination.
In this country, it is also fuelled by economic inequality, which has forced black people in particular to scramble for the few opportunities that exist to earn a living.
Furthermore, rampant corruption and incompetence over several years weakened the government’s ability to manage immigration, resulting in hundred of thousands of undocumented foreigners entering SA, some with criminal intent, with no consequence.
It is a recipe for disaster and social unrest, as we have witnessed in many parts of the country in recent years.
These factors have created a conducive environment for the rise of populist groupings which periodically target foreigners to drive them out of communities.
In recent months one grouping has been targeting people it claims are undocumented foreigners in parts of Gauteng under the banner of Operation Dudula, led by self-styled community activist Nhlanhla Lux Dlamini. On Sunday they chased out hawkers from the Johannesburg CBD, Alexandra and Orange Grove.
Some of the people targeted are indeed undocumented foreigners. But others are not, which precisely underscores the fundamental problem with this kind of vigilantism.
It is not the responsibility of citizens to undertake unauthorised raids on communities, nor is it that of political players for that matter. The fact that it has been happening with impunity is a result of both the failure by authorities to efficiently manage immigration as well as the lax attitude of law enforcement to those who have taken the law into their hands.
Indeed no sensible person can argue that our country’s borders should be left open for all and sundry to come through illegally.
Therefore, any suggestion that those who speak out against the targeting of foreign nationals inadvertently support illegal immigration is disingenuous.
Government departments such as home affairs, state security and other law enforcement entities must step up their efforts to tighten controls around illegal immigration, including prosecuting corrupt officials in the system.
Vigilantism driven by a populist, anti-migrant sentiment is not acceptable. It is dangerous and criminal. Turning a blind eye to it is complicity to gross human rights violation and all its social consequences.
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