Herman Mashaba has once again spoken out strongly about the problem of illegal foreigners in South Africa. He said people who are in the country without papers will never respect South Africans as long as they are protected and allowed to stay. According to him, the only real solution is mass deportation.
His remarks came after an incident in Limpopo where a 37-year-old Ethiopian man was shot and injured by police. The man is now in hospital recovering from a bullet wound. The shooting happened at Elim Mpheni Block B and C when the man allegedly attacked police officers. The officers were arresting his younger brother, who is facing a rape case.
The situation quickly turned violent, and police responded by firing at the older brother, leaving him wounded. He was rushed to hospital and is still under treatment.
The case has again brought the issue of undocumented foreigners into public discussion. Mashaba insists that keeping people who are in the country illegally only creates more problems, and he maintains that deportation on a large scale is the only way to deal with it effectively.
Mashaba has for many years made immigration a central part of his politics, often warning that the failure to act firmly will continue to put pressure on communities, policing, and social services in South Africa.