The Azania Movement insists that the South African immigration policy must be inclusive of all South Africans and not only the elite
In a statement, the Azania Movement noted the arrest of Chinese nationals in Newcastle and the inspection exposing serious labour abuses, including reports of workers being paid as little as R50 per week.
“This confirms the urgent need for stronger labour protection and fair enforcement of immigration laws. Azania Movement previously called on Operation Dudula to help prepare a People’s Policy on Immigration and Economic Participation to be tabled in Parliament,” the statement read.
“We did this because immigration policy must be shaped by the real experiences of communities, not by politicians behind closed doors. For this reason, we rejected The Draft Revised White Paper on Citizenship, Immigration and Refugee Protection released in December 2025 by Minister Leon Schreiber. The people of South Africa were not properly consulted.”
They noted that it is also important that “the current Minister of Home Affairs, Leon Schreiber, originates from German-speaking regions of Europe and is not originally South African, yet he is making policies that deeply affect South Africans.”
They stated that this shows how far ordinary citizens have been removed from decisions about their own country.
“Azania Movement believes that action on immigration must be fair and non-discriminatory. Targeting only black African foreigners is wrong. If laws are to be enforced, they must apply equally to all races and nationalities. Operation Dudula must not be biased,” they said.
“The reality is that the majority of retail and large sectors of the South African economy are owned and controlled by foreign nationals, while black South Africans remain economically excluded. From Sandton to Mall of Africa, from major malls to hotels, the economy is largely in foreign hands. South Africans must not be blinded to this truth.”
Azania Movement said they maintain that South Africans must come first in their own country, but this must be done lawfully, fairly and with the people at the centre.
“We call for a national dialogue that protects workers, ends exploitation and rebuilds black South African ownership of the economy.”
