Some undocumented foreign nationals in SA accuse DHA of waging war against them
Last week, Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi called on municipalities to implement stricter by-laws for businesses that are run and operated by unregistered, non-taxpaying business owners.
FILE: Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi. Picture: GCIS
JOHANNESBURG - Some undocumented foreigners have accused Home Affairs of waging a war against them amid the department’s intensification of measures to clamp down on illegal immigration.
Last week, Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi called on municipalities to implement stricter by-laws for businesses that are run and operated by unregistered, non-taxpaying business owners.
This is in addition to his court bid to appeal an interim court interdict handed down last year prohibiting the deportation of Zimbabwean Exemption Permit (ZEP) holders.
In 2023, the Pretoria High Court invalidated the minister's 2021 decision to terminate ZEP, which came into effect in 2009.
Motsoaledi subsequently approached the Supreme Court of Appeal to challenge the high court judgement, which was dismissed with costs.
READ: SCA dashes Motsoaledi's hopes of appealing interim court interdict to stop deporting ZEP holders
His measures do not go unnoticed, with foreign nationals who gained access to the country illegally noting his moves with great fear.
This 32-year-old Tanzanian migrant has bemoaned Motsoaledi and his department.
"If government is thinking like that, they are killing people, instead of helping foreigners and giving them papers and permission."