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Herman Mashaba: A country without borders is not a country at all
 [News24] Make no mistake, we face a crisis with illegal immigration in South Africa. Our borders seem to exist only on maps, and thousands of people stream through on a daily basis without encountering any form of law enforcement. The SANDF has been quite clear: they do not have the resources to protect 4 833km of our land borders with our neighbouring countries. Let me be unequivocal here. I hate xenophobia and I denounce outbreaks of violence. I want to see the seven billion people of this world coming to South Africa to live, work and travel. However, people must come into our country legally and, once here, must obey our laws. This is not too much to ask. If you don't believe me, wonder across the border of most countries in the world and Africa and see how we would be treated. Countries around the world take this very seriously. Elections are won and lost (in some of them) based on this very issue. So why then, when we raise this issue are we labelled xenophobic? It's a good question. Illegal immigration is costing our country dearly. Despite what some academics and talk show hosts say, there is no disputing this. Because when thousands of people cross into our country every day, you can assume that some of them are doing so with criminal intent. After all, we have become known as a "soft target" for foreign criminals fleeing their countries because of our combination of no border control and a criminal justice system that cannot tie its own shoe laces. Senior policemen and women in our country have reported that over half of all arrests made are foreign nationals. In a country which features at the top of the list for violent crimes can we really afford to remain silent on this matter? Again, let me be clear. Most people coming into our country are not criminals. They are good people, trying to find opportunity in South Africa because of difficult circumstances in their own countries. But, we are a country too that has its own challenges. We are unable to provide anywhere near adequately what is needed by our own South African citizens. With 39% unemployment, the highest levels of inequality, massive housing backlogs and an inability of government to meet the rising needs of healthcare and infrastructure, can we really afford to be helping so many people from other countries? I know, at this point the talk show hosts like to suggest that these kinds of questions are designed to deflect government failure, and in some cases I believe they may be right. About the author: Herman Mashaba is a South African entrepreneur, politician and the former Mayor of Johannesburg. Posted by: Besoeker 2020-01-26 |
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