Hon Deputy Speaker, we as the UDM strongly condemn all forms of violence perpetrated against our fellow brothers and sisters from the continent by fellow South Africans. These inhumane acts constitute a clear violation of basic human rights and are inconsistent with the values enshrined in our Constitution, which elevate inclusiveness.
As Africans, we believe in the strong philosophy umntu ngumntu ngabantu [you are who you are because of others] and that is exactly what we should be doing and how we should be treating each other, as we build a united Africa.
I want to make an example that happen in 2007. There are socioeconomic issues that are a problem and we cannot deny it. As leaders, we need to address them. I want to give you an
example. It will not help us to deny the fact that ... This was even cited, I should say, by the African Peer Mechanism report in 2007, where they said that the perceived devaluation of labour that happens as a result of migrant workers entering the South African market in unfair competition with South African workers, accentuates conflicts and xenophobia. The government should address this matter through policy and law. And we have not done it.
In 2015, we had another committee that inquired into the effects of xenophobia that took place in 2015. Finding 7.7 of the report states that there is some exploitation of foreign nationals by organised business requiring longer hours for less pay than South Africans, particularly in sectors such tourism, taxi services, gardening, domestic services, car guarding and security services, etc.
Our own report says that this creates resentment among South Africans. This might not be widespread, but it is an issue and perception that exists out there. As South African, we need to
deal with that. We must listen to our people, even if we don't agree with them on some aspects. That is what leadership does.
The other important issue is that we need to create a legal and normative framework around migration in Africa. We have just dealt with the continental free trade area, which is an agreement to try and stimulate trade, but we have not dealt with migration to establish how to deal with it at a continental level. As we try to work towards building a united Africa, there must be consistency between how member states of the AU actually deal with the question of migration. It is very critical, because we cannot have a situation where, in Ghana, they decide to pass an Act, they protect certain sectors for industries for locals and the expectation is different when you to other countries.
We are saying that this can only be solved through a collective effort, firstly, at a continental level and secondly, at a regional level. Otherwise, in a few years from now, we will come back to condemn, if we don't address the underlying root causes of the problem. I thank you.