Jacinta Ngobese has reacted strongly to claims made in Durban regarding the verification of 300 foreign nationals, saying she does not believe the reported figures align with how the Home Affairs system operates.
Her response comes after reports that the Mayor of eThekwini confirmed that nearly all of the foreign nationals processed were found to be legally documented in South Africa following a screening exercise.
However, Jacinta Ngobese expressed doubt over the accuracy of the claims, stating that she had contacted three officials from the Department of Home Affairs, all of whom allegedly told her that such a scenario would be “impossible” based on how their system functions.
Her reaction has sparked further debate online, with many users weighing in on the broader issue of immigration verification processes and the reliability of administrative systems in South Africa.
The situation in Durban has already drawn national attention, especially after authorities reported that hundreds of individuals were screened, with only a very small number flagged for further investigation.
Jacinta Ngobese has been vocal on immigration-related issues in recent months, often raising concerns about undocumented migration and how enforcement processes are handled at local and national levels.
The latest exchange adds to an ongoing public conversation about transparency, accuracy, and communication between government officials and the public during immigration enforcement operations.
Officials in South Africa have maintained that verification exercises are conducted using official databases and documentation checks to confirm the legal status of individuals.
Meanwhile, discussions around the situation in eThekwini continue, with differing opinions emerging from political figures, activists, and members of the public.
As debate continues, attention remains focused on whether further clarification will be provided regarding the verification process and the reported figures involving foreign nationals in South Africa.