Community members from Elim, Mulima and Hlanganani allege that corruption at the Department of Home Affairs is allowing undocumented foreign nationals to live and operate businesses in their communities.
More than 100 residents marched to the Home Affairs office in Elim and the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) office in Bungeni on Tuesday, 30 June. They called for an investigation into allegations that officials are issuing fraudulent permits and asylum documents, saying weak enforcement has fuelled growing frustration.
Community member Dakalo Mashau said residents were frustrated by undocumented migrants operating businesses in their communities.
“We are tired of illegal immigrants who are shop owners,” she said. “We are also angry at traditional leaders who gave illegal immigrants residential stands. As we are not allowed to go to other countries without proper documentation, they should also not come to South Africa illegally.”
Community representative Nhlamulo Ndima, who handed over the memorandum, said residents were concerned that people who were in the country unlawfully continued to obtain official documents and operate businesses. While most businesses remained open during the march, the majority of spaza shops in Elim were closed.
“We want the Department of Home Affairs to address the corruption involving the issuing of fraudulent documents such as permits and asylum papers,” he said.
The memorandum also calls on traditional leaders to stop allocating residential stands, business sites and trading permits to people who cannot prove that they are legally in South Africa. It further urges traditional leaders to cooperate with the Department of Home Affairs, the South African Police Service and municipalities during inspections.
The memorandum was received by a Home Affairs official. The department has been given seven working days to respond.