SAHRC's 'pro-foreigner stance' comes under fire from ActionSA's Mashaba
All South Africans and those who live in the country — regardless of nationality, race, gender, age, income level or geographic location — have a right to access health-care facilities, it added.
Mashaba said residents of Hammanskraal in Tshwane had to contend with no drinking water for more than 20 years because of the influx of illegal foreigners.
'Another problem is how South Africa has now become a free-for-all. We say, 'Come to South Africa, we will give you free health care, free education.' We have opened our borders to international syndicates,' he said.
It is likely 'five illegal aliens' deported to Swaziland by US President Donald Trump would end up in South Africa, he added.
'Was the Human Rights Commission established to protect the rights of illegal foreign nationals?'
On failed sewer infrastructure, Mashaba said sewage spills onto beaches threaten the city's tourism prospects.
TimesLIVE
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
19 hours ago
- IOL News
Communities call for stricter measures for marriages between locals and foreign nationals
Residents of Greater Lejweleputswa District Municipality called for stricter measures to ascertain the authenticity of marriages between foreign nationals and South Africans. Image: Emma Bauso/pexels At the recent public hearings on the Marriage Bill held at the Toronto Recreation Centre in Welkom, residents of the Greater Lejweleputswa District Municipality voiced their concerns over the rise of marriages of convenience between foreign nationals and South Africans. This was the second of three public hearings in the Free State, where community members presented a robust call for stricter measures to verify the authenticity of marriages, fearing that fraudulent entries could compromise the integrity of the national register. Participants echoed a collective apprehension regarding the troubling trend of marriages that, they argued, are not motivated by genuine intentions. "It is essential that the Bill outlines a clear process to distinguish authentic unions from those undermined by nefarious motives," said one attendee. The committee has previously heard similar concerns in other provinces and has urged the Department of Home Affairs to take immediate action to investigate these claims comprehensively. In addition to concerns over fraudulent marriages, the hearings have also revealed a variety of differing opinions regarding the alignment of the Marriage Bill with the South African Constitution. Some participants expressed that integrating different marriage laws into a single statute may infringe upon the constitutional right to choose. When it came to polygamous marriages, the views proved equally divided. Advocates for polygamy highlighted its historical significance within African communities, asserting that formal recognition within the legal framework could provide much-needed certainty. Conversely, opponents raised concerns over sustainability and potential conflicts, particularly regarding property rights, and called for a ban on such arrangements. The discussion also ventured into the contentious issue of same-sex marriages, with representatives from various faith-based organisations opposing the recognition of these unions based on religious teachings. However, proponents of same-sex marriage adamantly argued for the constitutional rights of all citizens to love and marry whomever they choose. The committee expressed disappointment over instances of perceived discrimination against same-sex couples, reiterating the importance of protecting the Constitutional rights of every South African. Another area of debate focused on the legal age of consent, with some participants supporting the established threshold of 18 years, while others contended that younger individuals should complete their educational pathways before entering marriage. Marriage officers also raised a significant concern about potential repercussions they might face should they refuse to solemnise marriages that conflict with their personal beliefs. Many called for clearly defined protections for these officers, as well as a comprehensive rollout plan for the training of new marriage officers in alignment with the provisions of the Bill. With the final hearings on the Marriage Bill set to take place today in the Thabo Mofutsanyane District Municipality, the committee has urged residents to attend and share their insights concerning this pivotal legislation. IOL
The Herald
a day ago
- The Herald
Police crime intelligence on high alert over alleged plan to reclaim 'land stolen' from Lesotho — Masemola
The police crime intelligence division is investigating allegations of Basotho nationals undergoing military-style training on South African farms to reclaim land 'stolen' from the mountain kingdom. This comes after Lesotho police chief advocate Borotho Matsoso is reported to have confirmed the emergence of a group calling itself 'Malata Naha' which is allegedly recruiting Basotho youth from within the country and abroad to incite insurrection against their government and to fight for the contentious land in South Africa. The land being claimed includes parts of the Free State, Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. Matsoso's comments come after the recent arrest of Lesotho MP Dr Tshepo Lipholo, leader of the Basotho Covenant Movement, a political party which has been demanding the return of Lesotho's 'stolen land'. The arrest sparked unrest in the country. On Saturday, national commissioner Gen Fannie Masemola said Matsoso's allegations were high on the agenda of a meeting with all nine provincial commissioners to discuss crime combating efforts in the country. 'A preliminary report from the crime intelligence division was discussed in which intelligence structures have highlighted that they have heightened their operations to investigate allegations made and where necessary, track down and take down such illegal activities. 'The DPCI, also known as the Hawks crimes against the state (CATS) unit has also been roped in to investigate. Various searches have been undertaken by CATS at various identified farms and no such evidence has been found to date.' Masemola said he reached out to Matsoso to discuss the allegations and they had agreed that both countries' law enforcement agencies' intelligence structures would investigate the existence of such camps. Masemola said intelligence structures and operatives were on the ground to establish facts and urged South Africans not to panic as police from both countries were on high alert. In 2023, Lipholo tabled a motion for the kingdom to reclaim South African territory that purportedly belonged to Lesotho in precolonial days. At the time Lipholo declared: ' It's time for what is ours to be returned to us.' TimesLIVE
The Herald
a day ago
- The Herald
Kenny Kunene resigns as Joburg councillor and transport MMC
Suspended Patriotic Alliance deputy and City of Johannesburg MMC for transport Kenny Kunene has resigned as a councillor with immediate effect. Kunene's resignation comes after police found him at the Sandton house of murder accused Katiso 'KT' Molefe on Tuesday. Kunene told media outlets he was at the house when police arrived to arrest Molefe because he was facilitating an interview with a newsmaker for journalists from his online news platform. On Friday, PA leader Gayton McKenzie served his deputy with a suspension letter pending an investigation into allegations against him. Molefe is accused of being the mastermind who ordered the hits on DJ Sumbody and Armand Swart, a Vereeniging engineer killed after his company allegedly flagged price gouging in a Transnet tender. In a letter to City of Johannesburg speaker on Friday Kunene said: 'I regret to inform you that I have tendered my resignation as a proportional representation councillor for the PA effective immediately and will thus be unable to continue as a member of your mayoral committee responsible for transport'. 'I am stepping aside from public life for a period, while my party satisfies itself as to certain allegations that have been raised against me, which are unfounded. But I have nevertheless agreed it would be in the public interest for me to await the clearing of my name before considering a return to public service and duty.' Earlier in the week McKenzie said: 'I believe Kenny 100%. I can't expect everyone to believe him, hence we are launching a full investigation to prove what we know, which is that he is innocent,' McKenzie said. The DA responded to Kunene's resignation with renewed calls for an investigation into processes, organisations and projects under his portfolio. DA caucus leader Belinda Kayer Echeozonjoku said the party wrote to m ayor Dada Morero demanding Kunene's removal. It requested investigations into: All contracts and procurement processes at the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA); The contractors and procurement of the Lilian Ngoyi street repairs; and Contracts, appointments and procurement processes at the Metropolitan Trading Company (MTC). The DA asked the mayor to respond within seven days. TimesLIVE
