Julius Malema Urges Documentation of Undocumented Migrants Amid Ekurhuleni Murders Probe, SA Reacts

• Julius Malema has discussed why undocumented foreigners need to be documented in South Africa
• The Economic Freedom Fighters leader also weighed in on the recent murders around Ekurhuleni
• South Africans on social media shared mixed reactions to Malema's proposal, raising various concerns

Byron Pillay, a Briefly News journalist, has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He worked as a newspaper journalist for 10 years before transitioning to online.

KWAZULU-NATAL — Julius Malema has called on authorities to formally document undocumented migrants already living in South Africa.

Malema made the comments on Saturday, 19 September, during the Economic Freedom Fighters' (EFF) manifesto launch at Dr JL Dube Stadium in Inanda, KwaZulu-Natal. The Commander-in-Chief of the Red Berets made the appeal in response to the Ekurhuleni murders.

Nine women's bodies have been found across Ekurhuleni since July 2026, in areas including Kempton Park, Olifantsfontein, Kwa-Thema and Dawn Park. By 21 September, most of the nine victims had been publicly identified.

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Malema's argument for documentation

According to Malema, registering undocumented migrants would allow the state to capture identities, last known addresses and countries of origin. He added that existing extradition arrangements could then be used to return suspects to South Africa should they flee across the border after committing crimes.

South Africans debate Malema's comments

Malema's remarks sparked a debate online, with several users questioning the practicality and logic of the proposal.

@SabeloMntungwa_ wrote:

"He doesn't understand that those criminals avoid documentation because it legally confines them to state laws. They enjoy being traceless to evade tax, labour/business laws, and allow them to commit crime without leaving evidence. These people are not here for hugs and kisses."

@WandaCommunist responded:

"We don't have to document them, but they must come documented because they won't go to Home Affairs for documentation, since many of them are wanted for crimes they committed in their countries. Who'll be going around looking for the undocumented to document them? Uyagula lo."

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@Unahinanaye raised a broader concern:

"I understand his point, but it is crucial to remember that our country is struggling with high crime rates, unemployment, poverty, and a lack of or inadequate management of existing resources."

@SabeloMntungwa_ also warned of a possible next step:

"Second step is documenting them...Next step: 'allow them to vote, they're documented residents'."

@V_Ketshabile referenced fugitive pastor Shepherd Bushiri, writing:

"Where's Bushiri? Extradition se voet."

@tmanco7 added:

"He must get his votes in Bulawayo; he hates South Africans."

Minister tells South African men to stop murdering women

Briefly News reported that Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga addressed South African men directly at a government memorial in Ekurhuleni.

The memorial was held to mourn nine women killed in a wave of gender-based violence within the space of two months.

Chikunga's remarks that South African men are responsible prompted fierce online pushback, with many rejecting her framing of the crisis.

Source: Briefly News