ActionSA has proposed establishing a dedicated unit within the eThekwini Metro Police to deal with illegal businesses, hijacked buildings and illegal immigration, while reserving parts of the local economy for South Africans.
ActionSA mayoral candidate Zwakele Mncwango made the proposals during IOL’s 2026 Town Hall Debate on Wednesday, where candidates differed on the powers of municipalities to address illegal immigration, the role of national government and the protection of constitutional rights.
Mncwango said ActionSA wanted to restore law and order in the city and introduce a policy to ensure that South Africans had opportunities to participate in the local economy.
“We did put a motion last year where we're saying local economy must be reserved for locals,” Mncwango said.
He argued that the city could not rely solely on national government to address immigration concerns and needed to respond to grievances raised by communities.
“We can't keep complaining about the government. We understand that the government is prepared to resolve the issue of border management. But the question is, what we do within our city,” he said.
Mncwango linked the protests against illegal immigration to frustration among residents who felt that government was not listening to their concerns.
“These marches have been going on for more than two years now. It's because the government is not listening. And now you see the violence,” he said.
He said ActionSA opposed violence and did not support hostility towards foreign nationals, but maintained that the city needed to protect South Africans' interests.
“We are against violence, so meaning we don't hate foreigners. We love everyone, but we love, we love our South Africa,” he said.
Mncwango said the party wanted immigration laws to be enforced with respect for human rights and dignity.
“We've got a law on how to do deportation. We're using dignity, with respect as well of human rights. So we're not saying you must use violence to chase them out,” he said.
EFF challenges ActionSA's proposal
The proposal drew questions from the EFF, whose eThekwini mayoral candidate Hlengiwe Mkhaliphi challenged whether a municipality had the legal authority to implement the measures Mncwango had outlined.
The EFF argued that immigration was a national government responsibility and questioned how ActionSA intended to establish the proposed Metro Police unit and introduce a by-law reserving the local economy for South Africans.
The party also challenged Mncwango over ActionSA’s policy position on immigration, arguing that the proposals he presented at the debate raised questions about the party’s approach to foreign nationals.
In response, Mncwango said municipalities had the power to introduce by-laws and enforce them through their law enforcement structures.
“Nothing will stop the city to make a bylaw one that says local economy must be reserved for South Africans. It's a bylaw issue,” he said.
He maintained that ActionSA’s position was not an endorsement of xenophobia or violence, arguing that foreign nationals should be treated with dignity and respect for their human rights.
“We've got a law on how to do deportation. We're using dignity, with respect as well of human rights. So we're not saying you must use violence to chase them out,” he said.
The EFF continued to challenge the proposal, arguing that municipal by-laws could not override the Constitution and questioning why similar measures had not been implemented in Tshwane, where ActionSA had previously held the mayoralty.
ANC calls for stronger law enforcement
ANC ethekwini regional chairperson Thabani Nyawose said the city needed to engage with the Metro Police and the South African Police Service (SAPS) to establish why they were sometimes unable to control violent groups linked to immigration tensions.
He said law enforcement agencies needed to improve their capacity and address weaknesses that prevented them from responding effectively.
“They have to improve their capacity, address issues where there are gaps or weaknesses, but they are the only people empowered by law to act on illegal immigrants,” Nyawose said.
IFP warns against conflating legal and illegal immigration
IFP mayoral candidate Selvan Govender said the city needed to consider constitutional rights and the importance of foreign investment when addressing immigration concerns.
He argued that foreign nationals who were legally in South Africa had the right to live and work in the country and said immigration debates often failed to distinguish between those with legal status and those without it.
“If your paperwork is in order and you're legitimate, you have a right, a human right to be here,” Govender said.
He also stressed the importance of distinguishing between foreign nationals who were legally in South Africa and those who were not.
He said the country had laws and institutions to address immigration and argued that changes to existing policies should be dealt with through the appropriate legal processes rather than through municipal by-laws.
Govender also stressed the importance of foreign investment to the local economy, saying that the need to address illegal immigration should not undermine the rights of people legally living in South Africa.
DA says immigration must be addressed within the law
DA mayoral candidate Alicia Kissoon said illegal immigration placed pressure on infrastructure and economic planning, but stressed that any response had to comply with the Constitution.
“The fact is that we have to tackle it legally. We have to do it within the rule of law,” Kissoon said.
She said South Africa's constitutional framework had to guide the response to immigration concerns.
“We cannot have a system where we do not support the Constitution and what it stands for, because that is the basis of what we believe in,” she said.
Kissoon said the DA supported secure borders and proper documentation to help government plan for the needs of the country and its cities.
She also challenged attempts to portray illegal immigration as a recent problem, arguing that it had existed long before the current national administration.
Minority Front calls for coordinated response
Minority Front mayoral candidate Shameen Thakur Rajbansi said eThekwini needed a clear immigration policy and stronger cooperation between different spheres of government.
She said the municipality should work with the departments responsible for Home Affairs, border control, defence and international relations instead of allowing them to operate in isolation.
“We have to work cooperatively with home affairs, with border control, defence. We have to work with foreign affairs, because different departments are working like silos,” Rajbansi said.
She argued that the city should develop a policy framework suited to its circumstances and make better use of cooperative governance.
“If I was mayor, I would have a proper policy framework for immigration in my city,” she said.
MK Party calls for cooperation with police
MK Party mayoral candidate Thamisanqa Mkhize proposed working with SAPS, Home Affairs and neighbourhood watch structures to address immigration-related concerns.
His proposal emphasised cooperation between law enforcement agencies and community safety structures in responding to the concerns raised during the debate.
The discussion formed part of IOL's 2026 Town Hall Debates, bringing eThekwini mayoral candidates together ahead of the November 4 local government elections.
hope.ntanzi@iol.co.za
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