McKenzie opposes placing illegal immigrant children in South African schools

Patriotic Alliance (PA) leader Gayton McKenzie and anti-crime advocate Ian Cameron have urged for the exclusion of illegal immigrant children from South African schools.

Many learners have not yet been put in Gauteng schools, and some parents allege that undocumented learners are given preference over them since they are locals and residents of the feeder zone for which they applied.

Children of illegal immigrants should be allowed to attend school.
Central Karoo Mayor Gayton McKenzie, whose stance on illegal immigrants is unambiguous, resorted to Twitter to convey his opinion.

Children of illegal aliens should not be permitted in South African schools; the Department of Home Affairs should inspect all schools before we do. This is absurd; we must now explain to South African parents why their children cannot be enrolled in schools; we warned you.”

All children of illegal immigrants should not be permitted to attend South African schools, and the Department of Home Affairs should inspect all schools before we do. This is absurd, and we must now explain to South African parents why their children cannot be enrolled in school.

— Gayton McKenzie (@GaytonMcK) 11 January 2023
Ian Cameron, a criminal justice campaigner, echoed the same concerns.

He added, “I fully concur with @GaytonMcK that all children of illegal foreigners should not be permitted in our South African schools.”

I absolutely concur with @GaytonMcK that illegal immigrant children should not be permitted in South African schools.

— Ian Cameron (@IanCameron23) 12 January 2023
A representative for the Department of Basic Education, Elijah Mhlanga, stated that a 2019 court order mandates the placement of illegal immigrant children in schools.

“The department will comply with the court order until changes are made,” he stated.

Mhlanga stated that all other provinces have completed learner placements and that Gauteng is the only province presently experiencing difficulties.

People from various countries and provinces are relocating to the metropolitan area and seeking space. It’s not as if the system is not functioning; it has put everyone who should have been placed.”