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Eyewitness News
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
Political parties call on Home Affairs to consider deporting Phil Craig over Cape independence calls
CAPE TOWN - Political parties have called on Home Affairs Minister, Leon Schreiber, to consider deporting British citizen Phil Craig, accusing him of trying to divide the country. Craig, who is not a South African citizen, is a central figure in the Cape Independence movement, which is advocating for the cessation of the Western Cape from the rest of the country. Members of Parliament (MPs) still want him out of the country, but Schreiber said it's not that simple, adding that immigration laws can't be used to settle political matters. On Tuesday, Schreiber faced renewed calls for Craig's deportation from the country for his calls for Western Cape independence. Members of the Home Affairs committee, such as Thapelo Mogale of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), said Craig should be considered undesirable like, Nigerian televangelist Timothy Omotoso, who has since left the country. 'We raised the issue of Phil Craig and felt very strong about that you can't have a [person] who is advocating for breaking up this country.' ActionSA MP Lerato Ngobeni said they've also laid a complaint with the department against Craig. But Schreiber said they can't just deny him citizenship because of his politics, adding that he can't be denied citizenship because he hasn't applied. 'And we must respect freedom of speech that is the right to everyone in South Africa, according to our constitution.' Craig said in March that the conduct of certain political parties and individuals has been despicable, malicious and undemocratic.
The Citizen
06-05-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
Phil Craig's Citizenship Controversy Explained
'My rights, just as for anyone else, are enshrined in the constitution' The citizenship status of Phil Craig, a British national and key figure in the Cape independence movement, will soon come under scrutiny during a meeting of parliament's portfolio committee on home affairs. Craig is the leader of the Referendum Party and co-founder and spokesperson for the Cape Independence Advocacy Group, based in the Western Cape. Five interesting things about him Craig has been in South Africa for more than 20 years with no citizenship He has had a petition calling for his deportation, which gained nearly 50 000 signatures He writes for the Daily Friend His Referendum Party proposed a non-racialism bill He advocated for the cessation of the Western Cape ALSO READ: Presidency responds to questions about the citizenship of Cape Independence's Phil Craig Citizenship status The Presidency has publicly confirmed that Craig is not a South African citizen. 'Phil Craig is not a citizen of South Africa; he's still a permanent resident and has yet to be naturalised. It is a concern that someone who has left his own country of birth has come to SA to sow seeds of division as he has been doing,' said Magwenya in March this year. This came after Craig sparked controversy for allegedly leading a movement which the Presidency deemed divisive. Magwenya further said, 'It is perplexing why he seeks citizenship when his views or intentions are to divide the country. We will not allow him to do that. He can travel the world seeking support for his ideas. It will not happen now or any other time.' Speaking to The Citizen in March this year, Craig said he had every right to interfere in South African politics like anyone else. In response to earlier accusations of leading a racist movement, Craig dismissed the claims, stating,'Only in South Africa is the author of a non-racialism bill, which seeks to end all race-based policy in South Africa, routinely accused of being racist.' 'My rights, just as for anyone else, are enshrined in the constitution, and I am fully entitled to exercise them. Opponents of Cape Independence should focus much more on the process; when they do, they will realise I am not the issue.'
