Patriotic Alliance leader and Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, has reiterated his stance on the deportation of illegal foreigners, declaring “Abahambe” (let them go). He insists that undocumented foreign nationals working in South African restaurants and receiving public healthcare should leave immediately.
In an interview with BizNews, McKenzie stated that illegal immigrants dominate the restaurant industry in Cape Town and the Western Cape, leaving many South Africans unemployed. Despite being labeled as xenophobic for his views, he has openly embraced the label.
“I’ve embraced that. But here’s the issue. This is the uncomfortable thing that you don’t want to hear, but you’re going to hear today,” McKenzie said.
VAT, Employment, and Economic Impact
McKenzie argues that undocumented foreigners are not contributing to the economy through VAT payments and are filling positions that South Africans could occupy.
“Illegal foreigners working in your houses, working in your businesses—you don’t VAT them. You leave them with your children, and you don’t know who they are,” he said.
He further alleged that some undocumented individuals have criminal histories in their home countries and enter South Africa illegally after serving prison sentences.
“Some of them, when they are in jail in Ethiopia, when they get released from jail, they come to South Africa. When they are in jail in Zimbabwe, when they are released, they come to South Africa,” he claimed.
Accusations of Racism in Hiring Practices
McKenzie also accused employers of racial bias, suggesting that they prefer hiring illegal foreigners because they lack labor rights and cannot join unions.
“When you start saying stuff like, ‘Zimbabweans are hard workers, South Africans don’t want to work,’ no, it’s not about South Africans not wanting to work. It is your racism that you are hiding. You prefer a foreigner because they have no rights,” he asserted.
He emphasized the risks associated with undocumented individuals, particularly in violent crimes, saying, “If somebody kills your brother, your sister, your mother, and they are not documented, it’s only then when you’ll see the harm that illegal foreigners are causing us.”
Crackdown on Illegal Employment and Healthcare Access
McKenzie urged restaurants in Cape Town to stop employing illegal foreigners immediately.
“Go to every restaurant in Cape Town, illegal foreigners are working. Stop hiring illegal foreigners. Get someone who is South African and can pay VAT,” he said.
He also criticized the burden illegal foreigners allegedly place on the healthcare system, claiming their presence contributes to long queues at hospitals.
“The people who don’t have medical aid must stand in the line, and there’s 10 Zimbabweans ahead of them,” he stated.
Housing and Prison System Concerns
McKenzie further argued that undocumented foreigners occupy spaces meant for South Africans in the RDP housing system.
“The people that apply for housing must stand in the line because there are 300 Mozambicans on the same housing list,” he claimed.
He also pointed out that 12% of South Africa’s prison population consists of illegal foreigners, stating, “That is not normal.”
PA’s 2026 Election Campaign Focus
With the 2026 local government elections approaching, McKenzie made it clear that deporting illegal immigrants—particularly those working in restaurants and using public healthcare—will be a key focus for the PA.
“Next year, when we start the campaign, we are coming to all the businesses, all your businesses that are hiring illegal foreigners. We are going to give you South Africans to work there. They will have no excuse,” he said.
“Get rid of your illegal foreigners now, because next year is not going to be easy. You heard it here first.”
