The Western Cape Government has renewed calls for calm amid recent incidents of violence and intimidation targeting foreign nationals in parts of the province.
Premier Alan Winde and Western Cape MEC of Police Oversight and Community Safety Anroux Marais have strongly condemned xenophobic violence, stressing that frustrations over immigration policies must be addressed through lawful channels.
The issue was discussed at a provincial cabinet meeting with incidents already reported in Mossel Bay, Kleinmond, Stanford and Gansbaai.
Authorities say the situation has largely stabilised, although law enforcement remains on high alert as reports of further community protests and planned demonstrations surface.
Marais welcomed the activation of a NATJOINTS operational plan involving multiple agencies, including the South African Police Service, the Department of Home Affairs and the Border Management Authority.
In the Overstrand region, authorities reported that many of the foreign nationals currently housed in temporary facilities in Gansbaai, Stanford and Kleinmond are undocumented. Officials have reminded employers that it is illegal to employ undocumented foreign nationals and warned that offenders could face fines or imprisonment.
In Mossel Bay, where the worst of the violence was seen this past weekend, the municipality confirmed that the situation is now stable.
Around 150 displaced people were still being accommodated at a municipal facility, while humanitarian support and law enforcement operations continue. Officials estimate that 55 informal structures were destroyed during the unrest in KwaNonqaba. Two Mozambicans were killed.
The Border Management Authority confirmed earlier that 584 Mozambican nationals from Mossel Bay have left the town to return to their home country. The Authority says it processed their departures at the Lebombo border post on Wednesday, with an additional 349 Mozambicans from the Lindela Repatriation Centre in Krugersdorp who were being deported. That’s a total of 933 nationals who left South Africa yesterday.
Provincial leaders have urged residents to reject violence and discrimination, while calling on the national government to strengthen immigration management and border control measures. Authorities say anyone found responsible for criminal acts will face the full consequences of the law.
NATJOINTS has confirmed that more than 170 suspects have been arrested in connection with public violence and related criminal activities linked to recent anti-migrant protests.
166 arrests were made in the Free State, while five people were arrested in Mossel Bay.
Intelligence structures are also actively monitoring individuals and groups suspected of mobilising communities towards unlawful conduct.
At the same time, NATJOINTS revealed that more than 5,000 undocumented foreign nationals have been arrested over the past three weeks for contravening the Immigration Act.
