In a firm statement on national migration, Velenkosini Hlabisa, President of the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), has declared that South Africa does not require undocumented and unskilled foreign nationals and has called for their deportation, while simultaneously cautioning citizens against resorting to xenophobic violence.
The comments were made during a television interview where the recent revelation by Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber that South Africa deported approximately 51,000 undocumented migrants in the past year was discussed. Minister Schreiber had characterized the country as a “neglected part of the global migration story,” pointing to the strain placed on the nation by high unemployment and job market pressures.
Aligning with this stance, Hlabisa affirmed his party’s long-held position. “The IFP manifesto in 2024… one of the key priorities was to deal with the issue of foreign nationals,” he stated. He expressed support for the government’s deportation efforts, saying, “we join hands with all people of goodwill in South Africa that the undocumented and unskilled foreign nationals in South Africa. We do not need them.”
However, the IFP leader was explicit in his condemnation of vigilantism and xenophobia. “We do not have to use any act of violence against them because these are human beings. We are against xenophobia,” Hlabisa said. He placed the responsibility for action squarely on the government, stating it must assist in the repatriation of those without legal status.
When challenged on how to balance this stance with South Africa’s commitments to African Union protocols and refugee protections, Hlabisa argued for a “bold decision” at a government level to activate the policy of repatriating illegal foreign nationals with no skills. He also emphasized the need to engage communities to prevent them from taking the law into their own hands.
Addressing specific concerns, Hlabisa stated that undocumented individuals seeking medical care should not be blocked from accessing it, but should be expected to pay for services. He also cited the recent bus accident tragedy, where medication destined for other countries was discovered, as an example of how undocumented migration is “affecting our economy.”
On the issue of long-term undocumented migrants who have established families and contribute to the economy, Hlabisa proposed a case-by-case assessment. He suggested that those possessing specialized skills needed in South Africa should be properly documented, while those who remain illegal and without a needed skill must be assisted in returning to their home countries.
“This is a common practice. Go to any country in the world. You cannot stay there for many years undocumented and a skill that is not needed in that particular country,” he concluded. “This is not violent. This is not inhumane but is a practice to ensure that… you know how many people are in South Africa when you budget.”
