ANC on xenophobia: South Africa “should be proud” of its immigration laws

The ruling party have issued their reaction to the latest round of xenophobia-driven protests which flared-up on Sunday, condemning the violence and insisting “there is no justification” for the unsavoury scenes that have been all-too-common in the month of September.

ANC respond to xenophobia in Gauteng

Their comments come just hours after International Relations Minister Naledi Pandor suggested that apartheid was a key factor in the unrest, some 25 years after its abolition. Her comments – which also acknowledged several other socio-economic factors – didn’t go down too well.

In a lengthy address posted early on Tuesday morning, the ANC expressed a deep concern over “criminal elements” sewing discord in Gauteng communities. Their statement went on to say:

• The police and law enforcement “did well” to restore order in Johannesburg, despite public claims to the contrary.
• The party vowed to listen to “genuine grievances” from South Africans who are concerned by immigration.
• In the statement, ANC executives have encouraged “all members” to try and fight xenophobia in a personal capacity.
• The Justice, Peace and Security Department will be tasked with finding the “root causes” of this violence.

Government insist there is “pride” in their immigration stance

However, one of the stand-out features of this speech centres around the controversial topic of South African immigration law – a legislation that has been much-maligned over the past few days.

Calls to tighten border security and limit the amount of immigrants accepted into Mzansi have grown louder, but the ANC are staying firm. The government have crowed about their refugee record, and have ignored the critics in favour of celebrating its “strong human rights culture” instead:

“These attacks on foreigners run contrary to the cherished principle of pan-Africanism and solidarity with our people: South Africa is signatory to a number of international conventions around migration and refugee protection. Many of the foreign nations in South Africa have fled war and oppression in their own countries.”

“All citizens should be proud that South Africa – with its strong human rights culture, Constitution and refugee protection laws – continues to offer safety and refuge to oppressed men, women and children. The ANC will work with communities and grassroots organisations to restore harmony and good relations.”

ANC statement

• You can read the full ANC statement on xenophobia in Gauteng here:

ANC CONDEMNS ANTI-FOREIGNER VIOLENCE AND CALLS FOR SECURITY CLUSTER TO LEAD EFFORTS TO RESTORE STABILITY#OkaeMolao #JoburgCBD pic.twitter.com/8DVj8K0kya

— African National Congress (@MYANC) September 10, 2019