Mashaba rejects claims of election populism over ActionSA's immigration hardline
Mashaba said that he has been raising the issue since his first 100 days as Johannesburg mayor in December 2016, long before ActionSA was formed.
Dimakatso Leshoro
ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba. Picture: @Action4SA/X
@Action4SA/X
ActionSA president Herman Mashaba is showing no signs of backing down on his hardline position on illegal immigration, insisting it is a long-standing commitment and not an election campaign tactic.
Mashaba said that he has been raising the issue since his first 100 days as Johannesburg mayor in December 2016, long before ActionSA was formed.
He said that the party's strong electoral performance has given him a fresh mandate to pursue the issue, despite criticism that his position risks fueling xenophobia.
The remarks come as the party seeks to convert its electoral gains into positioning itself for the 2029 national elections.
ActionSA is now the fifth-largest party nationally with 5.6 per cent of the national vote and significant growth in key metros.
As it sets to be a crucial party in Gauteng in the coalition horse-trading that lies ahead.
"I can tell you, under ActionSA in all the municipalities that we are going to co-govern, we must have a special unit in the metro police to work with SAPS and home affairs and the Department of Labour to make it difficult for these people to leave our cities."