Business Unity South Africa is requesting more clarification on the immigration white paper. BUSA claims the country's planned exit from two refugee conventions will have severe ramifications, for the already struggling economy.
READ: Minister Motsoaledi releases White Paper on immigration and refugee protection
This month, Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi briefed the media about the White Paper on immigration and protection of refugees. This followed after the cabinet approved the publication of the draft policy for public comment.
The policy seeks to provide a framework to guide the granting of citizenship and residency to foreign nationals. Amongst its key proposals, the White Paper suggests a temporary withdrawal from international agreements such as the 1951 United Nations Refugee Convention, the 1967 UN Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees, and the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) Convention Governing the Specific Aspects of Refugee Problems in Africa.
Busa’s Social Policy Manager Sanelisiwe Jantjies acknowledged the White Paper’s intentions to streamline South Africa’s immigration system but raised concerns about the proposed additions of exceptions to non-refoulement.