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Action SA leader Herman Mashaba, who has been heavily criticized for alleged anti-immigrant remarks during his time as mayor of Joburg, said on Saturday that he was not xenophobic and fully supported law and order.
Herman Mashaba. Image: Kayleen Morgan / EWN
JOHANNESBURG – Action South Africa leader Herman Mashaba said on Saturday that he would not back down from ending what he called South Africa’s illegal immigrant crisis.
The former mayor of the Johannesburg Democratic Alliance (DA) has launched his new political party.
Mashaba, who has been heavily criticized for alleged anti-immigrant remarks during his time as mayor, said he was not xenophobic and fully supported law and order.
“I am opposed to xenophobia and there is no place for this or any kind of hatred in our party or in our country,” he said. “So let me be clear: we want the people of the world to come to South Africa to work, vacation and invest.”
Mashaba also called for tough diplomacy against human rights violations in neighboring Zimbabwe.
Action SA said that South Africa had a legal obligation to its citizens to determine who could enter the country and for what reasons.
Mashaba said he aimed to participate in next year’s local government elections, where he planned to overthrow the failed leadership in the three metropolitan areas of Gauteng, Tshwane, Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni.
Mashaba left the DA after butting heads with the party over its leadership changes in 2019. The businessman recruited former DA and ANC leaders in an attempt to win over disgruntled voters.
Action SA’s policy reflected Mashaba’s values, including support for the free market, reform of labor laws, and crackdown on corruption. Describing the party’s mandate, he said he wanted to cut red tape for small, medium and micro enterprises (SMEs), revive South Africa’s industrial sector and improve education.
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