Mchunu Breaks Silence On How EFF Stance On Illegal Foreigners Is Being Used Against Them

Mchunu says the Economic Freedom Fighters’ position on illegal immigration is being used to campaign against the party, while EFF leader Julius Malema has emphasised that the issue is identifying people in South Africa rather than granting foreign nationals citizenship.

The comments centre on a distinction between managing immigration and changing the rules for acquiring South African citizenship. Malema has said the EFF wants the state to know who is in the country, framing the matter as one of identification and administration rather than giving foreign nationals citizenship.

Mchunu, meanwhile, argues that the EFF’s stance is being used to decampaign the party. The claim suggests that the party’s position is being presented in a way that could harm its political support, although the available information does not identify who is responsible for that effort or provide specific examples of the alleged campaigning.

The remarks come amid heightened public debate about immigration, border management and the rights of foreign nationals. Political parties have faced pressure to explain how they would address irregular migration while also distinguishing their policies from demands that could affect people based on nationality or immigration status.

Malema’s clarification, as described, draws a line between identifying people who are present in South Africa and making them citizens. It does not, by itself, set out the details of any proposed policy, such as how identification would be carried out, what legal process would apply, or how people without documentation would be treated.

Mchunu’s criticism points to the political consequences of the debate. The EFF’s position may be interpreted differently by voters, depending on how party leaders explain it and how their statements are represented in public discussion. Mchunu contends that the issue is being used against the party, but no evidence or examples were provided in the information available to support that claim.

The distinction matters because immigration status and citizenship are separate issues. A person may be present in a country without holding citizenship, while citizenship involves a legal status governed by specific requirements. Malema’s position, as reported, addresses the question of identifying people and knowing who is in the country, not granting citizenship to foreign nationals.

The comments do not resolve wider questions about immigration enforcement, documentation, asylum or naturalisation. Nor do they provide a detailed account of what measures the EFF would support to identify undocumented residents.

For now, Mchunu’s central argument is that the party’s stance is being used to weaken its political standing. Malema’s explanation is that the EFF’s concern is knowing who is in South Africa, not offering citizenship to foreign nationals. The debate remains focused on how the party’s position is described and what practical policies it would entail.

Esosa224 feedback-opera-news-app@opera.com