EC villagers accuse foreign nationals of taking their jobs

Protest against undocumented foreign nationals.

Rural communities in the Eastern Cape have added their voices to the mounting calls for undocumented foreign nationals to leave the country.

They claim a number of foreign nationals are now infiltrating rural towns and villages.

The communities are also accusing them of taking jobs that should be given to local youth who face a high rate of unemployment.

One villager says, “As vendors, we compete with these foreign nationals. The problem is that they sell everything at very low prices. We buy from them, but they also come and sell in the streets just like us.”

Another resident says, “Where are South Africans going to work? There are no jobs here. What are they going to eat if every job is given to foreign nationals? The municipality and government are neglecting us. I cannot go to Namibia and sell apples there? What kind of a country is South Africa that allows everyone to come and sell apples? Where are the by-laws?”

Businesses say the government must enforce its policies on foreign nationals who do business in the country.

National African Federated Chamber of Commerce Chairperson in the OR Tambo region, Pumelele Madikiza, says government must ensure documentation of every foreigner in the rural areas.

Madikiza says, “If there was an act, I’m of the view that there is an Act of 2002, which stipulates how foreigners should be trading. It says a foreigner should come with a minimum investment of R 5 million. It says that foreigners should not participate in the salon, spaza shops and retail because that is meant for locals, that’s what the act says. If there’s adherence to that act, then you’ll have all the local municipalities and metros formulating by-laws that talk to that national act.”