More than two million foreign people without proper documentation have reportedly departed South Africa since the beginning of the countrywide anti-illegal immigration marches, according to activist Nkosikhona “Phakel’umthakathi” Ndabandaba.
During a public engagement, Ndabandaba said that the protests, which have demanded tougher enforcement of immigration rules and firmer action against illegal migration, were the constant pressure that led to the reported departures.
Ndabandaba claims that many undocumented migrants have freely left the nation as a result of the marches, which have also prompted officials to step up immigration enforcement.
“Our marches have sent a clear message that South Africans want their immigration laws to be respected,” he said, adding that the campaign has brought attention to the people’s increasing worries about crime, illegal immigration, and the strain on public services. According to Ndabandaba, over two million foreign nationals without proper documentation have departed the nation since the program started.
The prominent anti-immigration campaigner insisted that, rather than targeting people based on their nationality, the campaign’s goal is to ensure conformity with South African law.
In addition, Ndabandaba urged the government to better manage immigration procedures, speed up the expulsion of illegal residents, and fortify border security. He insisted that these safeguards are essential for the preservation of public resources, job prospects, and national security.
Some South Africans have backed his comments because they think the government should do more to stop illegal immigration, but others have questioned the figures he used and demanded proof that over two million illegal immigrants have left the country.
No official confirmation of Ndabandaba’s data has been made by South African authorities as of yet. No official statistics have been released by the government agencies in charge of immigration and border management to confirm the stated number of departures.
Disagreements persist on how South Africa should police immigration laws while also fulfilling its constitutional and international human rights responsibilities, making the topic of illegal migration one of the most divisive in the country’s public policy discourse.
The marches will go on, according to Ndabandaba, until the government takes what he calls “stronger and more effective” action against illegal immigrants.