South African political party proposes new legislation targeting illegal foreign nationals without specialized skills.

The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) has announced plans to introduce legislation aimed at accelerating the deportation of undocumented immigrants in South Africa. Party leader Velenkosini Hlabisa revealed the initiative during a provincial council meeting in Johannesburg on Sunday.

“We are not against foreign nationals, but we want to ensure that those who are here illegally and without skills are returned to their countries,” Hlabisa said during his address.

The IFP leader emphasized that the party’s stance is not xenophobic but rather prioritizes South African citizens for local job opportunities. He argued the current deportation system faces significant legal delays that hamper effective enforcement.

Hlabisa pointed to challenges in tracing illegal immigrants involved in criminal activities due to lack of official records. He noted that some individuals evade arrest because authorities have no fingerprint data on file.

The proposed bill will focus specifically on expediting repatriation of undocumented foreigners who don’t possess specialized skills that benefit the South African economy.

Similar immigration positions have been advocated by other political parties including ActionSA and the Patriotic Alliance, both of which have called for deportation of illegal immigrants.

The IFP intends to make this proposed legislation a centerpiece of its political agenda in coming years, consistently emphasizing that “South Africans must come first” in access to employment opportunities.

Hlabisa concluded his announcement by reaffirming the party’s commitment to championing legislation that ensures swift repatriation while prioritizing South African citizens for available jobs.