By Levy Masiteng
Eswatini has urged its citizens in South Africa to stay in contact with the kingdom’s diplomatic missions and avoid self-appointed representatives.
The warning comes as anti-illegal immigrant protests and tensions in South Africa continue to ramp up before the 30 June “deadline” set by “activist” groups threatening to forcibly remove undocumented migrants who don’t leave the country of their own accord.
In a statement posted on the official Eswatini government X account, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said it wished to remind “Emaswati living, working, studying, visiting, or travelling through the Republic of South Africa” that the government “remains committed to safeguarding and promoting their welfare abroad”.
The statement did not mention the protests directly and did not say Eswatini nationals had been attacked.
But it was issued amid heightened concern across the region over the anti-foreigner sentiment and protests in South Africa.
Migrants with deep roots in South Africa, and many illegal foreigners, have been fleeing the country in droves, many of them being repatriated by their home countries via flights or buses, as 30 June nears.
The ministry said Emaswati were “encouraged to maintain regular contact with the Kingdom of Eswatini diplomatic missions in South Africa and to seek assistance whenever they encounter challenges requiring consular support”.
It said the High Commission in Pretoria and the Consulate in Johannesburg were ready to assist on “a range of matters, including emergencies, documentation, welfare concerns, and other consular issues”.
The ministry also said it “cautioned” Emaswati to “be careful of individuals or groups who present themselves as their representatives or spokespersons capable of addressing some of the challenges that they may be facing directly or indirectly in relation to their stay in South Africa.”
Police and politicians in the country are trying to contain the tensions. The South African government convened an urgent Justice, Crime Prevention and Security meeting in May to address the increasing protests on immigration and illegal foreigners. One of the outcomes of that was the development of a framework to combat xenophobia and intolerance.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has warned South Africans against vigilantism, saying only authorised officials may act against immigration-law violations and that “no other person is allowed, for example, to confront someone in the street to demand proof of nationality.”
The Eswatini ministry told its citizens to ensure they had the contact details of the nearest mission and “to promptly report any matter requiring the attention and assistance of the Kingdom’s diplomatic representatives”.
It listed the Pretoria High Commission contacts as Nombuso Dlamini on +27 60 336 1519 and Sonnyboy Sangweni on +27 61 528 1154.
For the Johannesburg Consulate, it listed Portia Dlamini on +27 67 549 0578 and Sihle Mlangeni on +27 63 199 5828.
The South African government has said no official directive has been issued ordering undocumented foreigners to leave the country by June 30.
This week, South Africa’s Inter-Ministerial Committee on Migration said undocumented immigrants should comply with the country’s laws, but also called on South Africans to “reject the path of vigilantism” and “dismiss the noise of misinformation”.
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