The Premier of South Africa’s (SA) Limpopo province, Phophi Ramathuba, says the most effective way to tackle the influx of undocumented foreign nationals is for citizens to co-operate with government authorities.

Ramathuba said that, in many cases, South Africans themselves facilitate the illegal entry of foreign nationals, which poses public health risks as migrants are often not screened for diseases such as yellow fever. During the festive season, over 1 000 undocumented migrants from Zimbabwe were arrested in Limpopo for entering the country illegally.

“These are South Africans who are busy transporting these people illegally into the country,” Ramathuba explained. “It starts with each citizen asking themselves what role they play as responsible and patriotic members of society. Do I have an undocumented immigrant working as a domestic worker in my home? Am I employing a gardener who is not properly documented?”

She stressed that individual responsibility is crucial in supporting government efforts to manage migration and safeguard public health.

–ChannelAfrica–