Cape Town – The GOOD Party says blaming African immigrants and refugees for South Africa’s poverty, unemployment, and tardy implementation of post-apartheid redress is “untrue, morally bankrupt, and a dog-whistle for public violence”.
In a statement earlier today, Tuesday, 26 May 2026, made available to The Bulrushes, Brett Herron, GOOD Secretary-General, said: “Nobody will benefit from another bout of xenophobic-driven looting and savagery such as that of 2008, which claimed 62 lives.
“Since then, anti-immigrant sentiment has become increasingly organised and confrontational.”
Herron said after a steady build-up in activity over the past year, with the organisation March and March most recently at the forefront, the government has been warned of dire consequences if immigrants without legal documentation have not left the country by 30 June 2026.
He added: “Those who have imposed the 30 June deadline deny that they are xenophobic, saying their movement is solely focused on ridding the country of ‘illegal immigrants and foreign nationals involved in crime’.
“It is unlikely, however, that the people they are mobilising to march with them will make such distinctions. “
Millions of South Africans who remain excluded from the economy and forced to live in miserable conditions – with evaporating hope – rightfully question why 32 years of democracy have not benefited them more.
They also rightfully question what the State is doing about it.
“To blame immigrants and refugees for their woes, however, smacks of opportunism and is misplaced,” Herron stated.
“Immigrants and refugees are not responsible for South Africa’s immigration policies and practises, for private land remaining overwhelmingly in White hands, for the thriving cultures of organised crime and corruption, for the barely growing economy, for the quality of social environments and service delivery… Those are responsibilities of the State.”
The GOOD Party appealed to all parties, including political parties associated with the anti-immigrant campaign, to stop fanning the flames of discontent.
“You are fuelling a conflagration of ethnic hatred that will inevitably consume lives, self-esteem, and respect for South Africa,” Herron said.
“Whether your objective is to force the State to implement its laws, or to use the issue to influence local government elections, the means don’t justify the ends.”
“Politics in a constitutional democracy is a battle of ideas fought at the ballot box; it cannot be fought by vigilantes on the streets.”
The GOOD Party said it has written an open letter addressed to the Acting Minister of Police, Professor Frioz Cacalia, with regard to this issue.
RELATED: Open Letter To Acting Minister Of Police Firoz Cachalia – The Bulrushes
