The South African Human Rights Commission has called on authorities to protect everyone living in South Africa, regardless of nationality, amid growing tensions over undocumented immigration.
The commission recently hosted an imbizo as concerns continue to escalate around illegal immigration, crime and unemployment in several communities.
Representatives from civic organisations, human rights bodies and community groups attended the discussions, which focused on the socio-economic pressures contributing to anti-immigration protests.
Anganile Mwenifumbo from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights said human rights protections should apply equally to all people in the country.
“Our office addresses the complex socio-economic and security challenges underlying tensions and growing frustrations in South Africa,” Mwenifumbo said.
“At the same time, we believe that human rights protection should be availed to all. Every person in South Africa is entitled to protection from discrimination and violence.”
Some civic leaders involved in anti-immigration protests argued that undocumented migrants were contributing to rising unemployment and crime levels.
Mzukisi Jam from the South African National Civic Organisation said many young South Africans felt excluded from economic opportunities.
“You cannot expect us as young people to have some sort of social cohesion with people that we strongly believe have taken a number of opportunities,” Jam said.
“We believe that we are unemployed today because their presence has played a major contributory factor.”
The Human Rights Commission defended its role in addressing the issue and warned communities against taking the law into their own hands.
The commission stressed that matters relating to crime and undocumented immigration should be dealt with by law enforcement authorities and not through vigilantism.