SOUTH Africa’s ongoing debate over illegal immigration has placed locals under the spotlight after some were featured in a recent episode of Cutting Edge aired last Tuesday.
Some locals said they crossed to South Africa on a daily basis to access education, healthcare and to do their basic groceries.
The programme examined growing tensions in South Africa over undocumented foreign nationals, including Emaswati, and the pressure they allegedly place on public resources such as schools, healthcare facilities and housing.
According to the programme, South Africa’s porous borders continue to fuel controversy and unrest as undocumented immigrants allegedly find ways to access services that were not budgeted for. The broadcast noted that frustrations among some South Africans have led to protests, clashes and calls for government to prioritise its citizens.
The issue recently escalated in Durban where there were marches outside a primary school claimed to have more foreign pupils than South African pupils.
Pertaining to education, the programme further highlighted how some pupils from Eswatini travel daily into South Africa to attend school. Footage captured by the television crew showed a number of pupils leaving schools in Pongola and crossing back into the country after classes.
Also, a Grade 11 pupil who was interviewed during the programme said he hailed from Mbabane and was residing in Phongola, South Africa where he and nine other pupils rented a house so that they could be closer to school.
He said compared to commuting in and out of South Africa every day, he preferred residing in South Africa because it allowed him to have enough time to study.
Others who were interviewed on the programme claimed that education in South Africa remained attractive and affordable compared to neighbouring countries.
One woman said some families struggled to afford the expensive high school education in Eswatini, hence the need to seek alternatives across the border.
It was further reported that the presence of undocumented immigrants in South Africa meant they also accessed services and resources that were budgeted only for South Africans.
The broadcast stated that the influx of Emaswati immigrants in South Africa was despite the fact that there were soldiers who manned the border, who reportedly allowed free passage of the citizens.
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Regarding the presence of soldiers, the programme alleged that Emaswati passing through informal crossings were made to pay before being allowed entry into South Africa. However, Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force (UEDF) Public Affairs Officer Major Sandile Gwebu denied the claims.
He said there was no way that soldiers could demand payment from citizens who want to cross over to South Africa.
“They know the consequences of being found engaging in illegal dealings,” he said. Gwebu further conceded that some Emaswati, especially those living close to the border, were allowed free entry into South Africa, citing that for some families, the border fence is literally in their backyard.
Therefore, he said the South African facilities were the closest to such Emaswati.
“No one can make these people pay because some of them even buy their daily bread from South African shops. At informal crossings, no consignments are allowed through,” Gwebu emphasised.
Likewise, Ministry of Home Affairs Communications Officer Mlandvo Dlamini reiterated that due to the closeness of the neighbouring facilities to some Emaswati, there is formal provision for them to cross to South Africa for services.
“However, there is a certain radius that these are allowed not to exceed. Otherwise, for Emaswati who are from farther from the border fence, using informal crossings is discouraged,” stressed Dlamini, adding that Emaswati should obtain travel documents and use formal ports of entry to go in and out of the country.
Meanwhile, Ministry of Education and Training Principal Secretary Nanikie Mnisi declined to comment on the matter, citing that it was beyond her ministry.
