Voice of Phoenix
Xolani Dlamini|Published
A Phoenix civic organisation has joined the March and March movement in calling for action against undocumented migration, although fewer than 30 people attended the community meeting.
Voice of Phoenix (VOP), urged all races to join the fight against illegal immigration in South Africa at their community meeting on Saturday.
March and March, ward councillor candidates from the various political parties and the local community were invited to the meeting.
Vassi Govender, VOP leader, said the civil organisation was formed by local activists to fight poor service delivery and unemployment in Phoenix.
His message to government is simple: stop illegal immigration, deport those who are in the country unlawfully, and attend to the citizens' concerns.
"South Africans, regardless of colour and gender must form a united front against the illegal foreign nations in our country. The issue of illegal foreigners affects every citizen. This is a call for lawfulness. We have had enough of the illegal immigration in our country,” he said.
Govender said they had joined hands with the March and March to eradicate the issue of illegal in Phoenix, and surrounding areas.
"We are law abiding citizens and that means all foreigners coming to our country must follow proper protocols," said Govender.
He called Phoenix residents to join the anti-immigration group to protect their country from ‘invaders’.
"Phoenix is being invaded by illegal foreigners. The March and March Movement members are dispersing them (illegal foreigners) in Durban CBD, and then they come to Phoenix, and our neighbouring areas such as Verulam and Tongaat," he claimed.
Recent anti-immigration protests and riots in Durban, have escalated into widespread arson and looting, with multiple foreign-owned shops, residential properties, and warehouses set ablaze.
When asked about the rate of illegal immigration in Phoenix, Govender said he did not have proper statistics, but claimed that all roads in Phoenix had ‘some illegal foreigners’.
"All I can say is that our community has been invaded. We are not fighting humanity, but a system which has been brought to us. That system is illegal immigration," he continued.
Govender said he supported March and March but he did not condone vigilantism or damage to property even if it belonged to illegal foreigners.
Responding to how illegal immigration impacted businesses and government facilities, Govender said he had paid an average of R2,000 for his granddaughter’s school fees.
"I had to produce an identity document (ID), and documentation pertaining to my granddaughter for her to be accepted in school. I know a school that has 800 pupils who have no proper documentation," claimed Govender.
Govender's message to illegal foreigners is clear: ‘if you want asylum, go to your nearby country’.
"Do not skip three or four countries to get to South Africa. If you are a foreigner, abide by the laws of the country, and avoid getting involved in illegal activities that cripple our economy," he appealed.
He revealed that March and March leader Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma did not arrive at the meeting due to security reasons.
Another March and March leader, Lindani Xulu, welcomed the support from the civic organisation in the fight against undocumented migration, at the meeting.
"We have decided to meet with the community, its leadership, and local police to discuss a way forward on illegal immigration in Phoenix. We have a branch of the March and March Movement in Phoenix, and we will use it to eradicate illegal foreigners in the area," he said.
Xulu urged residents to join the community organisations to find out what was happening in their areas.
"We must unite and have a purpose to fight for our country. South Africa belongs to all its people," he said.
Hansraj Ballyraj, a Phoenix resident, also expressed concern about illegal immigration and the future of the country.
"I am here because I care about the future of our country and our children. Many barbershops are being opened by illegal foreigners but no local citizens are hired by them. The funds that are made in those barbershops are crossing our national borders illegally," he claimed.
Ballyraj said it was difficult for children to get places at the local schools due to a large number of foreign national children enrolled in the local education facilities.
"I appreciate what Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma and her team are doing. They must continue until we win this war of illegal immigration, and they have my full support."