Where do SA parties stand over illegal immigration?

AS SOUTH Africa gears up for the 2026 local government elections, the battle over illegal immigration is heating up, and political parties are clashing in their stances.

- XOLILE MTEMBU

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) warns against "xenophobic panic" over the issue, while the ANC Youth League links surging illegal immigration to escalating crime. The DA points fingers at government corruption for border chaos, and ActionSA sounds the alarm over undocumented foreigners and deep systemic failures at Home Affairs. With tensions mounting, the immigration debate is shaping up as one of the most explosive issues of the upcoming elections.

EFF national spokesperson Sinawo Thambo has rejected claims that South Africa's immigration crisis will dominate next year's local government elections, describing the so-called crisis as xenophobic and arguing that voters consistently refuse to reward parties that use anti-immigrant rhetoric.

Responding to claims that immigration will dominate the 2026 local government elections, Thambo dismissed the idea as unfounded.

"This has been a comment since 2008 xenophobic outbreaks - it never materialises as a deciding factor in an election," he said. Thambo went on to praise South Africans for resisting divisive politics.