Arrest of illegal immigrants during Joburg CBD raid welcomed

The committee said it will continue to emphasize the need for the Department of Home Affairs to strengthen its application processes to remove blockages for asylum seekers and critical skills immigrants.

The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs, Advocate Bongani Bongo, has welcomed the arrest of illegal immigrants during a multi-organisation raid in inner Johannesburg’s central business district (CBD).

In a statement, Bongo said: “It must remain clear that while legal and developmental immigration is encouraged and can be beneficial to the growth prospects of the country, we remain steadfast that illegal immigration must be discouraged at all times”. Migration, read the statement, is a reality that South Africa must accept and leverage to benefit the country’s drive for development and economic growth.

“Nonetheless, migration must happen within the framework of international and national law. It is in this context that the committee welcomes the arrest and possible deportation of these illegal immigrants,” said the committee.

The committee said it will continue to emphasize the need for the Department of Home Affairs to strengthen its application processes to remove blockages for asylum seekers and critical skills immigrants.

“Furthermore, the committee has emphasized the need to fight corruption to ensure the credibility of the department’s system and documentation.

“The committee has called for the processing of the arrested illegal immigrants and speedy deportation.”

Meanwhile, the committee has received correspondence from the Mayor of the City of Johannesburg. The committee will discuss the correspondence and then make a decision on it.

“The guiding principle informing the work of the committee is that efforts by all stakeholders are important if we are to resolve the challenges facing the country. We must all work together to find workable solutions to these challenges,” Bongo said. 

(With Inputs from South African Government Press Release)