Gauteng to hold two-day migration summit

JOHANNESBURG – The Gauteng government says it is ready to engage with organisers of anti-illegal immigration protests to address their concerns.

Hundreds marched on Tuesday, protesting illegal immigration in South Africa.

The 30 June, which had been looming for over a month, was organised by anti-illegal immigration groups who called for undocumented migrants to leave the country.

READ| ‘We owe them nothing’ – Anti-illegal immigration group not backing down

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi says the province will host a two-day summit to tackle irregular migration.

“With the announcement made that some of the matches may take place every Thursday, we are not lowering our guard.  We might not have the resources and the capacity at that level.

“But the approach is to enter into negotiations and discussions with the organisers,” Lesufi said.

Scores who came out in numbers to protest demanded answers from the government on what their plans are in addressing the immigration issue in the country.

They allege that the presence of undocumented migrants squeezes the economy while also taking jobs away from South Africans.

They also allege that they are responsible for the high crime rate.

READ | Presidency not shaken by ’round two or three’ of protest

Lesufi said in a recent cabinet meeting, in which he was a part of, they agreed on a two-day session with the organisers to address all the issues of immigration raised in the memorandum.

The memorandum also touched on matters that relate to businesses,

“We are ready as the Gauteng government to ensure that we enter into those meaningful discussions and formulate proposals that will have a permanent solution because we are of the view that we can’t have these matches every day and thus creating problems in our province,” he added.