Religious leaders call for unity amid tensions

RELIGIOUS leaders are advocating for calm and compassion as tensions rise over undocumented immigration. They emphasise the importance of unity and understanding in addressing complex socio-economic issues.

- YOSHINI PERUMAL

Reverend Cyril Pillay, head of the Spiritual Crime Prevention Forum, said the question of how South Africa should manage undocumented migration, and the role of civic protests like those organised by March and March, involved complex legal, ethical, and socio-economic arguments.

“People hold strongly contrasting views on both sides of this issue.

“Proponents of stricter immigration controls and protest movements often argue that large scale undocumented migration strains public infrastructure, including health care, housing, and schools.

“From this viewpoint, civic protests are seen as a legitimate way to pressure the government to enforce existing immigration laws, protect national sovereignty, and prioritise economic opportunities for citizens,” Pillay added.

He said human rights organisations and legal experts frequently expressed concern that some anti-foreigner campaigns could fuel xenophobia and lead to vigilantism or violence.

“Critics argue that complex geopolitical and economic crises in neighbouring countries drive migration, and that intensifying protests against vulnerable groups fails to address the root causes of regional instability or administrative gaps within the Department of Home Affairs.

“The idea that we are all foreigners in one way or the other makes sense. In Africa, concepts like Ubuntu emphasise a shared human bond that transcends national borders, suggesting that human dignity should be respected regardless of legal status,” he said.