/ 5 September 1997

Sort out these foreign dust devils

South Africa is encountering an influx of illegal immigrants who constantly plunge it in a state of crisis and instability. Concern has been expressed by prominent figures, the defence force, vendors, the unemployed and parents.

The influx is destructive. It ushered in an era of substance abuse and internecine violence due to drug trafficking and weapon smuggling.

What is going to become of South Africans when their lives are guided by hedonism? Substance abuse has turned into dust that fills the eyes of the victims so they cannot see clearly.

Illegals are taking jobs from South African citizens and invading vendors’ trade stalls. The papers reported on an international conference that addressed the plight of “refugees”, and prominent international organisations concluded: “No border control or army can stop refugees from crossing borders to seek better lives in other countries.”

They went further to say refugees should be given normal rights in a country gradually being destabilised by people who migrate without notice. This nullifies the role and primary task of the defence force with regard to protection of borders and lives.

What has befallen South Africa when its irate people are bursting to fight the immigrants who have invaded and taken over the stalls owned by hawkers in the central business district of Johannesburg? Is this not going to develop into narrow nationalism? A method of solving this problem must be worked out. – Joe Malaika, East Rand

ENDS