SA’s migration policy up for major review

President Jacob Zuma during his address at the unveiling of 95 electric locomotives assembled at the Transnet Engineering Koedoespoort Plant in Pretoria. The electric locomotives is part of the country's massive infrastructure roll-out programme. 19/03/2015 Kopano Tlape DoC

President Jacob Zuma during his address at the unveiling of 95 electric locomotives assembled at the Transnet Engineering Koedoespoort Plant in Pretoria. The electric locomotives is part of the country's massive infrastructure roll-out programme. 19/03/2015 Kopano Tlape DoC

Published Apr 21, 2015

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Johannesburg - The country’s immigration policy is up for a major review following the most recent spate of attacks on foreigners.

President Jacob Zuma will host a series of consultative meetings to discuss the immigration policy, which will seek to promote “orderly migration” and good relations between citizens and other nationals.

Zuma’s engagements will also take into account the concerns raised by South African citizens about the implementation of the immigration policy.

The Presidency said Zuma intended to build “lasting partnerships” with those involved in immigration, to ensure that the “shameful attacks on foreign nationals do not recur in the country”.

“No grievance can ever justify the cold-blooded murder of fellow human beings, the destruction of property or the displacement of hundreds of people including women and small children. Millions of South Africans condemn these atrocious killings and abhor xenophobia and all related intolerances. Together we must work harder to root out violence and hatred in our society,’’ said Zuma.

Zuma will also meet leaders of organisations representing asylum seekers and refugees as well as the media this week.

On Wednesday he will meet representatives of faith-based organisations, business, labour, youth, creative industries, women, sport, the social development sector and others.

“However, the challenge of migration requires a long-term solution. In this regard, I have established an inter-ministerial committee to work systematically, looking at all aspects of migration,” said Zuma.

He emphasised that while understanding the grievances raised by some citizens, none justified the taking of human life or the destruction and looting of shops belonging to foreigners.

Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba said on Sunday that his department would introduce a Green Paper on the new policy framework by next year.

Gigaba said the ANC’s fourth national policy conference in 2012 discussed immigration policy and came up with recommendations that were being implemented by the government.

The policy conference noted that the existence of undocumented migrants posed economic and security threats to the country.

It stated that there was “empirical evidence” that the majority of asylum seekers did not comply with international legal requirements for refugee status and protection.

Gigaba said the government needed to review the immigration policy framework.

Several programmes to educate communities were continuing.

“We are going to be announcing others.”

Political Bureau

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