The South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) has called for planned demonstrations against illegal immigration to remain peaceful and not disrupt transport services.
The appeal comes amid growing calls for action on illegal immigration across the country.
SANTACO national spokesperson Rebecca Phala says, “We are not in any way involved with the movement and any of the endeavours that they are undertaking. The taxi industry has to work. At the back of the COVID-19 pandemic, there’s a lot of rebuilding that we’re doing and a lot of work has to continue.”
“People need to be moved, even as there are demonstrations taking place. Hence, we are pleading for there to be cordiality and that our services should still proceed, even as people will be embarking on varied demonstrations.”
PODCAST| SANTACO calls for demonstrations against illegal immigration to remain peaceful:
Meanwhile, the Federation of Unions (FEDUSA) has raised concern over growing tensions around illegal immigration in the country.
The union says the surge in anti-illegal immigrant sentiment appears to be coordinated and politically orchestrated.
FEDUSA has called on the working class to reject all attempts to divide it along national, ethnic or tribal lines.
FEDUSA Deputy General Secretary Ashley Benjamin says they acknowledge South Africans’ frustrations over unemployment, crime and crumbling public services, but says migrants and undocumented foreign nationals are not to blame.
“We are saying to government that they must accept responsibility for this crisis that they created to a large extent. Weak border management or porous borders is one of the biggest contributors that we have in this crisis of illegal immigrants in our country, Home Affairs inefficiencies. The department of employment only has 2 300 permanent inspectors dealing with millions of workers and hundreds and thousands of workplaces to be inspected. So, government must govern and they must ensure that South Africans are protected and that our country’s borders are protected,” adds Benjamin.
Related video| Residents accuse foreign nationals of taking jobs:
About the Author
