Anti-migrant politics escalate as ActionSA seeks to change Constitution

AS THE 2026 local elections draw nearer, political analysts expect a rise in anti-immigrant rhetoric - but caution that parties banking on such sentiment may face disappointment.

- SIMON MAJADIBODU [e-mail]

This follows ActionSA’s submission of a series of proposed constitutional amendments aimed at tightening provisions the party says have been exploited, contributing to South Africa's immigration crisis.

The party claims that existing constitutional clauses have enabled abuse of limited public resources, particularly in housing, healthcare and education.

ActionSA’s parliamentary leader, Athol Trollip, said the proposals were intended to guide Parliament’s Joint Constitutional Review Committee, while still upholding the Constitution's core principles.

“Our proposed amendments recognise the noble aims of the Constitution as a living document,” said Trollip. “But we must also prioritise protecting the rights of genuine residents and close off interpretations that inadvertently enable abuse.”

A key focus is amending the Preamble of the Constitution. Trollip argued that the phrase “South Africa belongs to all who live in it” has been misinterpreted to extend protections to undocumented migrants.

“This misreading has placed undue pressure on public resources and compromised the government's responsibility to prioritise the needs of South Africans,” he said.

“A careful revision is needed to reaffirm the original intent without undermining the inclusive spirit of the Constitution.”