Godongwana questions affordability of metros providing free healthcare to undocumented foreign nationals

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has questioned the affordability of metros continuing to provide free services to undocumented foreign nationals, saying the constitution has put the country in a difficult position.

Addressing the mayors of metropolitan municipalities on Monday to discuss new reforms aimed at improving the management of utility services, Godongwana acknowledged the frustrations expressed by some mayors regarding the strain that unplanned population growth is having on their cities.

Godongwana says the thorny issue of immigration is one that requires an objective debate by political parties and not from a position of xenophobia.

Godongwana says it's estimated that for every 100 people who enter South Africa, at least half of them remain in Gauteng.

This does not include the impact of urbanisation as people from different parts of the country in search of a better life.

Godongwana says he’s sympathetic to municipalities that can't legally deny services, such as healthcare, to foreign nationals.

"The constitution says South Africa belongs to all who live in it, which was a grave mistake."

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Godongwana said those words were penned at a different time in the country's history and the toll of immigration on limited resources can't be ignored.

"People must come to our country, legally. The ones who are sitting here illegally in the country, surely we should be sending them home."

He said foreign nationals living in informal settlements are receiving housing even before those waiting in backyard accommodation for years.