Cape Town – South African politicians have shared their thoughts over the recent warning by the SA Police Service (SAPS) that foreign nationals should carry their passports with them all the time.
Police last week arrested over 50 undocumented foreigners who failed to produce their passports during a road block as part of “Operation Okae Moloa” in Fourways Johannesburg, reported Power987.
According to police, Major-General Mbuso Khumalo urged those who did not belong in the country to carry their passports to avoid the risk of being arrested as an undocumented foreign national at road blocks.
“Home affairs is also around to process them. They must carry passports all the time otherwise we will arrest them for [being] undocumented,” the report quoted Khumalo as saying.
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Former ActionSA Gauteng chairperson and now leader of Xiluva, Bongani Baloyi said that the warning by SAPS was “normal practice when you are in a foreign country”.
didn’t notice anything amiss with the police warning stating carrying a passport all the time was “normal practice when you are in a foreign country”.
This is normal practice when you are in a foreign Country. https://t.co/lssGOfpEtO
— Bongani Baloyi (@BonganiBaloyiBB) April 15, 2023
Former finance minister Tito Mboweni shared his views, calling for the protection of human rights.
“I was an illegal person in many countries during the struggle against the apartheid system. Got arrested and locked in police cells. The UN was always on my defence. Let us protect human rights! We are all people,” said Mboweni.
I was an illegal person in many countries during the struggle against the Apartheid system. Got arrested and locked in police cells. The UN was always on my defence. Let us protect Human Rights! We are all PEOPLE!! .
— Tito Mboweni (@tito_mboweni) April 14, 2023
However, Patriotic Alliance leader, Gayton McKenzie didn’t mince his words on the matter, as he said “all foreigners should be forced to carry their passports in South African period”.
“I will never give any guarantee or promise that I will not deal decisively with illegal foreigners if I do become Mayor, you can keep your Mayorship because my main focus will be on cable mafias and illegal foreigners, I will chase them out of Joburg, my office shall move to Hillbrow,” McKenzie said.
How do you guys buy these bags, watches and clothes without having your passport with you when you are abroad? How do you explain that you are legally there when stopped by immigration officials? All foreigners should be forced to carry passports in South Africa period.
— Gayton McKenzie (@GaytonMcK) April 16, 2023
McKenzie has always been vocal about his views on illegal immigrants, often implying that illegal foreign nationals were committing crimes and had no respect for the South African police.
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Compiled by Olwethu Mpeshe
