Staff Reporter
Bloemfontein – Illegal immigration continues to place pressure on municipal resources and planning, according to Mangaung Metro city manager Sello More, who says the city is increasingly affected by both internal and external migration patterns.
Speaking on the issue, More said while people moving to Mangaung from other provinces contribute to population growth, this does not constitute illegal immigration.
He noted that the metro also experiences migration from neighbouring Lesotho and other countries such as Zimbabwe and Nigeria, creating additional challenges for service delivery and long-term planning.
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According to More, unplanned migration stretches resources beyond what municipalities initially budget for. He said increased demand for water, sanitation and other basic services places strain on the city’s infrastructure and can complicate efforts to adequately provide for residents.
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He further indicated that illegal immigration can hinder the formalisation of certain settlements, alleging that some undocumented migrants resist processes that could expose their legal status.
This, he said, creates obstacles to development initiatives and affects the city’s ability to effectively manage growth.
Despite these concerns, More cautioned residents against taking the law into their own hands. He condemned violence, theft and robberies directed at migrants, warning that such actions contribute to lawlessness and disorder.
He said the municipality’s Public Safety Directorate under Israel Kgamanyane would work alongside law enforcement agencies to roll out awareness campaigns aimed at addressing the issue within the confines of the law.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has for the first time made it clear that illegal migration will not be tolerated and his government will enforce migration laws fully.
Will More and Ramaphosa give their respective subordinates green light to crack the whip or its just talk shop?
Time will tell…..
In other news, It’s seven days before the much anticipated NPA decisions involving senior ANC deployees heading government .
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