MTHATHA – Calls to keep foreigners out of rural communities have emerged in the Eastern Cape amid nationwide tensions over asylum applications and violent anti-migrant protests in other parts of the country.

The Phakama Eastern Cape Movement demonstrated outside the Department of Home Affairs in Mthatha on Friday, 9 October, calling on traditional leaders to prevent foreigners from settling in their areas.

The demonstration took place as Home Affairs announced the withdrawal of its directive on asylum applications, following violent clashes in Soweto and Durban on Thursday.

In a statement issued, the department said the directive’s implementation had overwhelmed Refugee Reception Offices within days, placed officials at risk and raised serious threats to public safety and order.

The Home Affairs Department issued the order for refugee reception offices to process applications after a Constitutional Court ruling found certain procedural barriers to asylum seekers unconstitutional.

It said it would develop a new operational approach to comply with the Constitutional Court judgment.

Movement wants traditional leaders to act

Phakama Eastern Cape Movement leader Phiko Adonis told Express that the demonstration was in response to the directive, which provided for asylum seekers to apply for refugee status from 5 October.

“We are here to say this is not going to happen in our country,” said Adonis.

He said the movement would continue its opposition despite Home Affairs withdrawing the directive, adding that it had called for foreigners to leave even before the Constitutional Court judgment.

“We have seen them standing in long queues over the past two days and it was only men. Where are the women and children?” he asked.

Adonis said the movement had repeatedly approached traditional leaders, urging them to address the presence of foreigners in their areas.

“Permission to enter rural areas lies with traditional leaders,” he said, urging them to be vigilant about foreigners settling in their communities.

He alleged that foreigners had already taken over businesses in some areas and claimed that those living in the country illegally could evade accountability because they did not have permits.

Locals struggle to obtain identity documents

Mthatha Hawkers Association deputy secretary Nolizwe Mthethelwa said some residents were struggling to obtain identity documents, while she believed the government’s process for registering foreigners was easier.

She claimed that some people had been forced to leave school because they lacked identity documents, while others were struggling to obtain their IDs.

“I have three people that I am trying to assist so that they can get their IDs, but it is hard to assist them due to the system of this department,” she said.

She argued that government should address these challenges before registering foreigners.

“If it is that easy, they (the department) must sort the problems facing our people first,” said Mthethelwa.

Police on high alert in the Eastern Cape

Eastern Cape police spokesperson Brigadier Nobuntu Gantana said police were on high alert following unrest in other provinces and the withdrawal of the Home Affairs directive.

“In response to the earlier developments, Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Vuyisile Ncata instructed all District Commissioners to be on high alert,” said Gantana.

Police controlled a protest outside the Home Affairs office in KuGompo City without injuries, arrests or damage.

In Gqeberha, stun grenades were used to disperse a group gathered outside the Home Affairs office on 25 September after members failed to comply with police instructions.

Gantana said the province remained calm, with police monitoring potential hotspots and key public areas.

“Acts of criminality, including blocking of roads, looting, damage to property, intimidation of the public, and attacks on police officers, will be met with firm and decisive action,” she said.

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