Political events have condemned the Department of Home Affairs for spending tens of millions to deport unlawful immigrants, with the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) saying the R52.8 million spent to deport 19 000 unlawful immigrants is a transparent indication of presidency’s failure to deal with the causes of South Africa’s damaged immigration system.

Earlier this week, Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber confirmed that his division has spent R52.8 million deporting unlawful foreigners – simply over 19 000.

PARTIES SLAM HOME AFFAIRS FOR MILLIONS SPENT DEPORTING ILLEGAL FOREIGNERS

The Red Berets mentioned South Africa’s borders had been barely manned, leaving the nation uncovered to migration whereas border officers in lots of circumstances have change into complicit in perpetuating the disaster via corruption.

“The money spent on deportations could be far better used to create a system that actually works. We need a robust well-funded border management system that ensures we know who is entering and leaving the country,” the celebration mentioned.

“The current system of sporadic deportations is nothing more than a band aid on a gaping wound. If the government continues on this wasteful path, South Africa will spend billions without ever addressing the core issues,” it added.

Likewise, the African Transformation Movement (ATM), agreed with the EFF that the Department of Home Affairs must prioritise and deal with the problem of corruption inside its ranks.

The celebration mentioned this transfer wouldn’t solely get monetary savings but additionally be sure that the nation’s immigration insurance policies are carried out pretty and persistently.

“The R52 million used to deport 19 000 unlawful immigrants in simply 5 months might have been higher allotted to strengthening border administration and stopping unauthorised entries, moderately than merely reacting to the signs of a deeper drawback.

“Furthermore, we demand that those countries from which the illegal immigrants originate must be held accountable and pay back the money spent on deportations,” ATM spokesperson Zama Ntshona mentioned.

ACTIONSA ACCUSES GOVERNMENT OF PRIORITISING IMMIGRANTS

ActionSA additionally joined within the refrain of events condemning Home Affairs for the skyrocketing value of deportation – a median of R2 700 per particular person.

The celebration mentioned this was a slap within the face to law-abiding residents, because it reveals the devastating penalties of porous borders and a authorities unwilling or unable to implement its personal legal guidelines.

ActionSA chief whip Lerato Ngobeni mentioned South Africans should not simply footing the invoice for deportations. The taxpayer is pressured to soak up the price of clothes, feeding, and housing unlawful immigrants, even offering free healthcare to those that have openly violated our legal guidelines.

“To add insult to harm, South Africans are paying for international language interpreters in courtroom when these immigrants stand trial for his or her crimes. This is a shame – these prices must be borne by the international missions of their dwelling international locations, not hard-working South Africans.

“It is a national scandal that our government is spending R2 700 to deport an illegal immigrant while only allocating R2 180 for old-age pensions and a meagre R530 for child support grants. This reveals the government’s warped priorities — catering to those who break our laws while neglecting the needs of our most vulnerable citizens,” she mentioned.

BORDER MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY

In 2022, then-Home Affairs minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi launched the Border Management Authority (BMA) which is South Africa’s new, single authority for border administration with a single command and management, established via the Border Management Authority Act of 2020.

Although the BMA has made some progress, it’s reportedly underneath funded and quick staffed.

Apart from that, some BMA employees have additionally been arrested for allegedly granting undocumented migrants entry to South Africa and for allegedly issuing fraudulent identification paperwork.

What’s one of the best ways to efficient take care of unlawful immigrants?

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