Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma Responds to EFF Supporters Over Launch of Digital Asylum System

Anti-immigration activist Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma has responded to criticism surrounding the launch of the first phase of the Department of Home Affairs’ digital asylum system, insisting that she and her associates had already been discussing the initiative and engaging the department before the latest announcement.

The reaction followed news that Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber had launched the first phase of the online asylum system, which is aimed at reducing processing delays, clearing backlogs and combating abuse within the asylum process.

Following the announcement, a social media user questioned the timing of the DA’s renewed activity, suggesting that the party was moving quickly immediately after the local government elections because it knew Jacinta and her associates would no longer be as active.

The post further accused Jacinta and her supporters of previously focusing on electioneering rather than taking action on immigration-related concerns. It also challenged them to respond to the digital system’s introduction.

However, Jacinta rejected the suggestion that the development was a revelation or something she had only become aware of following Schreiber’s announcement.

In her response, she expressed surprise at the reaction from some EFF supporters, arguing that discussions about the online asylum system had been ongoing and that her group had already communicated its efforts to engage Home Affairs.

“Honestly I always get surprised by these ppl then I ask myself why am I even surprised… How many times have we been talking about this online system, even yesterday we updated about it, we explained that we have written to Home Affairs,” she commented.

Jacinta also revealed that the proposed online system had featured in a discussion during a meeting with Vuyo, although she did not provide further details about the meeting.

She questioned why EFF supporters were presenting the development as something connected to her when, according to her, updates about the initiative and correspondence with Home Affairs had already been shared publicly.

Her response places the focus on the political disagreements surrounding efforts to reform South Africa’s asylum system, particularly the competing claims about who has been advocating for changes.

The digital asylum system is part of Home Affairs’ efforts to modernise the processing of applications and improve the management of asylum-related cases.

While Schreiber’s announcement marks the introduction of its first phase, Jacinta’s comments suggest that she believes her group’s previous engagement with the department should also be recognised in discussions about the initiative.

The exchange has added another dimension to the ongoing debate between political supporters and immigration campaigners over the implementation of changes at Home Affairs.

https://x.com/JacintaNgobese/status/2120093072868413597

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