WeeklySA_AdminREPATRIATION: Mozambique’s ruling party says anti-illegal immigration violence in South Africa is endangering decades of regional solidarity after nine Mozambicans were killed and more than 700 repatriated amid growing fears of further unrest…
By Own Correspondent
The Political Commission of the Mozambican Liberation Front (Frelimo, the ruling party) states that the “wave of xenophobia” in neighbouring South Africa, in which nine Mozambicans have already died and more than 700 have been repatriated, “jeopardises” “long-standing, healthy” relations.
In the final communiqué issued following the 70th ordinary session of that body, held on Wednesday in Maputo and chaired by the party president and head of state, Daniel Chapo, it is stated that the Frelimo Political Commission “condemns the wave of xenophobia occurring in the Republic of South Africa, characterised by violence against immigrants, including Mozambicans”.
“This situation undermines collective efforts to maintain healthy historical relations between the two countries, the Southern African region and the African continent in general,” the statement reads.
This situation undermines collective efforts to maintain healthy historical relations between the two countries, the Southern African
region and the African continent in general…
Furthermore, the Political Commission of the Frelimo party, which has been in power in Mozambique since 1975, “highlights the actions of the Mozambican authorities, through their consular missions in South Africa and the country’s disaster management bodies, which have been carrying out efforts to assist Mozambican citizens who are victims of xenophobia, notably the repatriation of over 700 Mozambicans to their home provinces”.
The Mozambican government expressed concern on Tuesday about the “resurgence of anti-immigration rhetoric” in South Africa, fearing the situation could worsen by the end of the month, following the return of 714 citizens to the country in recent days.
“We are currently paying close attention to the resurgence of anti-immigrant rhetoric in South Africa, which could lead to a risk of the situation worsening by the end of this month. For this reason, our government will remain vigilant to protect, assist and integrate those who will suffer as a result of this situation,” said Ussene Isse, spokesperson for the Cabinet.
He added that the government had “assessed the situation of xenophobia in South Africa and developments regarding the situation of the Mozambicans affected”, which has already resulted in nine deaths among hundreds of Mozambican citizens in the neighbouring country, particularly in the province of Western Cape, at the end of May. By June 7, he said, 714 Mozambicans had been repatriated and sent to their provinces of origin, such as Gaza (392), Maputo (161) and Inhambane (119).
“Most of those affected are young people with irregular documentation and dependent on the unofficial sector, who report the loss of belongings and documents during the acts of violence. It is important to note that there are no records of Mozambican students among the victims of the reported incidents,” stated Isse, also assuring that the government is overseeing the process of repatriating the bodies of Mozambicans who died in these attacks.
He also stated that ministers from various sectors of the governments of Mozambique and South Africa “are in contact”, with a view to “resolving the problem of xenophobia, whilst always calling for dialogue”.
“The government urges all Mozambicans who feel they are in danger to contact the diplomatic missions and consulates of Mozambique in South Africa and calls on all citizens to migrate legally to neighbouring countries, to reduce vulnerability in such situations, as this has social and political repercussions,” concluded Isse.
Mozambique has around 300 000 citizens residing in South Africa, mainly workers in the mining and agricultural sectors.
South African anti-immigration protesters have given all foreigners until June 30 to leave the country, and the South African government has announced restrictions on migration policies in recent days. – Lusa
MIRROR Briefs
RAMAPHOSA IMPEACHMENT HURDLES
President Cyril Ramaphosa has filed an urgent court application to interdict Parliament’s impeachment committee from proceeding with its work.
The application was filed on Friday, in the Western Cape High Court. The African Transformation Movement has announced its intention to challenge the application.
Ramaphosa seeks to interdict Parliament from probing his fitness to hold office until a separate court challenge that he instituted last month is concluded.
The case aims at having the findings of a Section 89 panel report that investigated his conduct set aside and will be heard by the High Court from September 2, 2026.
Parliament has since established a 31-member Section 89 Impeachment Committee to investigate whether he had violated the Constitution or engaged in misconduct.
The committee is chaired by Rise Mzansi MP, Makashule Gana.
According to the court papers, the President warned that allowing Parliament’s impeachment process to proceed while the review application was still pending would result in “irreparable harm” and create a constitutional conflict.
Ramaphosa is asking the court to bar the speaker and committee chairperson from beginning impeachment proceedings, in terms of terms of rule 29M of the National Assembly rules.
He argues that the review proceedings could be undermined should the impeachment committee begin before the court determines the validity of the section 89 report. – Lehlohonolo Lehana.
KZN’S MULTI-BILLION RAND WATER PROJECT
The eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality is pressing ahead with multi-billion-rand water infrastructure projects aimed at strengthening water security, stabilising supply and improving service delivery across the city.
The Lower uMkhomazi Bulk Water Supply Scheme, which includes a storage dam, a water abstraction point and a water treatment plant, has entered Phase 2 at a price tag of R11 billion.
“Upon completion, the project will produce 100 megalitres of water per day. Of this amount, 75 megalitres will be supplied to eThekwini Municipality. This volume will be sufficient to supply all areas in the south, from Isipingo to uMkhomazi. “The water currently being supplied to these areas will then be redirected to the central, northern and outer western regions to further stabilise supply,” eThekwini Municipality Mayor Cyril Xaba said.
Phase 1 focused on raw water components, including the Ngwadini and Goodenough systems, while Phase 2 will deliver potable water infrastructure.
This infrastructure features a 100 ML/day water treatment facility, gravity pipelines and expanded reservoir capacity.
The Mayor said significant strides have been made with the Lower uMkhomazi Bulk Water Supply Scheme. – Sanews.
INQUIRY REJECTS BATOHI’S PLEA
The Nkabinde Commission of Inquiry has rejected former National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) boss Shamila Batohi’s application to file formal written submissions.
The inquiry, headed by retired Constitutional Court judge, Jess Nkabinde, was set up at the insistence of Batohi, who had written to President Cyril Ramaphosa requesting a probe into Gauteng NDPP boss Andrew Chauke fitness to hold office.
Chauke is accused of interfering in the prosecutions of former KwaZulu-Natal head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (the Hawks) Johan Booysen, and former Crime Intelligence head Richard Mdluli.
In December, Batohi walked out of the inquiry claiming she had faced “a hostile and accusatory” process.
She had petitioned the inquiry panel to file formal written submissions to be admitted into the official record after she halted her testimony during cross-examination.
On Friday, the commission confirmed it had rejected an application by Batohi to submit written representations for inclusion in the record.
Batohi sought to provide additional context following her incomplete cross-examination and decision to end oral testimony.
The inquiry said, after considering the application and legal framework, the inquiry declined the request as it finalises its report. – Lehlohonolo Lehana.
SEVERE WEATHER COSTS R9b DAMAGE
The Western Cape government has estimated the cost of the damage caused by the severe weather that affected the province last month at R9 billion.
The preliminary figures were presented during a special provincial cabinet meeting.
Informal settlements and low-lying areas were hardest hit, with thousands of residents displaced.
Western Cape Premier Alan Winde said that the cost of damage from last month’s severe weather systems, which swept through the province, was now estimated at just over R9 billion.
“Our province has had to endure many disasters. But the last two weather events were the worst in recent memory. While our government and other stakeholders have been working incredibly hard in responding to this disaster, we have a lot of hard work still ahead of us,” the Premier said.
Winde said: “The scale of the damage exceeds provincial departments’ budgets and delivery capacity. Additional funding will have to be sought from national government.”
The Premier emphasized that the province must “build back stronger” to handle future climate-related disasters, a strategy that will inherently cost more. He stressed the need to convince national government and other entities to budget differently to adequately handle such impacts. – Lehohonolo Lehana.
