CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA – FEBRUARY 14: Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces Thandi Modise during the 2017 State of the Nation Address (SONA) debate at the National Assembly on February 14, 2017 in Cape Town, South Africa. Political parties debated President Jacob Zuma’s SONA which was marred by chaos, violence and insults. (Photo by Gallo Images / Beeld / Jaco Marais)
Thandi Modise confirms most crime in SA is committed by foreign nationals
Thandi Modise said government fears being labelled xenophobic when they have to call out foreign nationals who commit crime.
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA – FEBRUARY 14: Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces Thandi Modise during the 2017 State of the Nation Address (SONA) debate at the National Assembly on February 14, 2017 in Cape Town, South Africa. Political parties debated President Jacob Zuma’s SONA which was marred by chaos, violence and insults. (Photo by Gallo Images / Beeld / Jaco Marais)
Defence Minister, Thandi Modise has revealed that most criminal syndicates in the country are not operated by South Africans.
Modise was speaking at a media briefing of Ministers in the security cluster in Pretoria on Sunday, 27 February.
THANDI MODISE: ‘GVT FEARS BEING CALLED XENOPHOBIC’
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During the briefing, Modise said government sometimes doesn’t have the courage to call out foreign nationals who engage in criminal activities, for fear of being labelled xenophobic.
“The truth of the matter is that most of the criminal syndicates are not run by South Africans and we are too ashamed to say that. We need to give a closer look at what is happening in Orkney and Portschefstrom. It is syndicates who sometimes deal with metals who take away even the water supply which is supposed to be rooted to people and then we blame the municipalities.
“We need to say come stay with us if you are legal, if you are not legal please approach us for help. If you are in trouble we will see how we will help you. If we also have to deport you we will not be apologetic about that but please respect us.”
Thandi Modise
Modise also called on foreign nationals to respect the laws of the country.
Last week, a gang of about 25 gunmen from KwaZulu-Natal, Zimbabwe and Botswana were intercepted by police while planning a cash-in-transit heist in Johannesburg.
Police Minister, Bheki Cele confirmed that amongst the South Africans arrested, a further four Zimbabweans and a Botswanan were also cuffed.
One of the arrested from Botswana is believed to be a wanted man, who is known to be the mastermind behind several CIT robberies for years.
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