Lesufi talks tough on illegal immigration
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi did no mince words in his message to undocumented immigrants: Get your papers in order, or leave!
He listed eight major challenges facing the province, with undocumented foreign nationals featuring prominently on that list.
eNCA viewers who commented on social media platforms X and Facebook had this to say:
On X:
'If someone came into the country illegal, what papers can they get to make them legal? Lesufi should have been more straightforward. He should have said 'if you are illegally in the country, leave'. Go to your country and apply from there for a job in South Africa or for a visitor visa. There should be no person in South Africa that is undocumented. That is what the ANC allowed, and Lesufi is still not solving the issue. He is still refusing to call them illegal foreigners," says @UnityInSA.
"Words and actions are not the same. Undocumented foreigners must return to their countries of origin first to get papers in order. @Our_DA should be part of @GautengProvince to clean up @MYANC mess. @MYANC incompetence is embarrassing," says @EvelynN60589.
"You can already tell @Lesufi plans to do nothing. If he was serious there would be mass deportations already. Their papers are already not in order. So, what is this get your papers in order nonsense? They have already broken the law," says @desouza_jon.
"It took less than 48 hours to lock us in our houses during Covid-19. It could take even less than a week to remove all illegal foreigners if the government is to do so," says @Mabomvini_za.
"You can't put your papers in order while you are already inside the country. South Africans, let us not be deceived, they want to cook papers for them," says Mbali KaSobahle Khalipha.
"Mnxm what a joke. So the entire continent can flood the country in millions illegally as long as they can get those 'papers' afterwards? What a joke of a country this people's ANC has turned our only little home to be. How are they planning to house the entire continent in this small struggling country with very scarce resources, I wonder😔", says Noluthando Thando Zuma.
"He is only saying they must leave now because next year it's local government elections. Guys, don't fall for this nonsense. He knew about this problem of undocumented immigrants right from the time he was the MEC of education in Gauteng, but he never did or said anything about it," says Kika Masentle Silva.
"Well said Mr Premier. We allow them. They are in number here and will be in control of businesses. Deport them and let [them] make business in their country. That way our economy struggle and they don't pay tax," says Esau Makaleni.
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