The mayor of the City of Tshwane has publicly addressed the growing concern over illegal immigration and its impact on local employment. In a strongly worded statement, the mayor pointed out that many foreign nationals are operating businesses without proper permits and hiring practices that favour cheaper foreign labour over South African citizens. This issue, according to many residents and analysts, is one of the major drivers behind South Africa’s persistently high unemployment rate.
The City of Tshwane mayor has taken a firm stance on the issue of illegal immigration and its effect on local jobs. In a recent address, the mayor highlighted how numerous foreign nationals are operating businesses without proper permits and employing fellow foreigners at wages significantly lower than what South African citizens would accept.
This practice, according to the mayor and many residents, is one of the key reasons behind the persistently high unemployment rate in Gauteng and other parts of the country. South Africa’s official unemployment rate remains above 32%, with youth unemployment exceeding 60% in many areas.
The Cheap Labour Reality
Many small businesses in construction, retail, spaza shops, car washes and informal trading prefer hiring foreign nationals, particularly from Zimbabwe, because they are often willing to work for lower wages, longer hours, and without demanding benefits or union protection. This creates direct competition for low-skilled and entry-level jobs that many unemployed South Africans rely on.
Critics argue this is not only unfair to local citizens but also undermines the goals of Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) and the National Development Plan, which aim to create decent work for South Africans.
A Long-Standing and Emotional Issue
The tension around foreign nationals and jobs is not new. For years, communities in Gauteng, Limpopo and the Western Cape have raised concerns about the rapid growth of foreign-owned businesses and the perceived displacement of local workers. These frustrations have occasionally erupted into xenophobic violence, causing loss of life and damage to property.
The mayor’s statement reflects growing political pressure on the government to act more decisively on border control, work permit enforcement and the regulation of informal businesses.
The Broader Economic Context
South Africa’s unemployment crisis is structural. The economy has not grown fast enough to absorb the large number of young people entering the job market each year. At the same time, globalisation and weak enforcement of labour laws have allowed some employers to exploit cheap foreign labour.
While migrants contribute to the economy through entrepreneurship and filling labour shortages in certain sectors, the perception that they are taking jobs from locals remains a deeply emotional and politically charged issue.
What Needs to Happen
Experts and community leaders agree that a balanced approach is needed. This includes stronger border management, stricter enforcement of work permit and business licensing laws, and targeted programmes to create jobs for South African citizens. At the same time, legal pathways for skilled foreign workers should be maintained to support economic growth.
The Tshwane mayor’s public stance has brought the issue back into the national spotlight. How the government responds in the coming weeks could determine whether tensions ease or escalate further.
For now, the message from many South Africans is clear: the country must prioritise its own citizens in the job market while still managing migration humanely and in line with international obligations.
