Perceptions of African immigrants in Pretoria on service delivery in the Department of Home Affairs

Abstract

This study claimed that largely for socio-political reasons as well as the general impact of globalization, information and communication technology, all synthesized as pull or push factors, migration has become a major phenomenon in Africa in the 21st century. Recent studies have also identified South Africa as a major destination for African immigrants since the end of apartheid. It is against this background that the study is aimed at investigating perceptions about African immigrants and attitudes towards them by the officials of the Department of Home Affairs, the official agency that is constitutionally mandated to handle immigrant affairs in South Africa. Theoretically, the study agreed with Neocosmos (2008) that several theories that seek to explain xenophobic attitudes and perceptions have not fully satisfied curiosity, especially regarding the behaviour of some officials. The study therefore turned to ‘Makwerekwere’ theory as propounded by Matsinhe in 2011. To achieve the above stated objective the study adopted both quantitative and qualitative research approaches, specifically the main data collection instrument of a questionnaire, sent to a sample of 300 Tshwane/Pretoria-based immigrants from six selected African countries. After rigorous data analysis, expressed in various tables and charts, the findings indicate that while Xenophobia is not South Africa’s official state policy, from the opinions of African immigrants and their experiences, some officials of the Department of Home Affairs have over time displayed negative attitudes towards African immigrants. In conclusion, the study suggests that corruption exists in the Department (in the views of African immigrants) and African immigrants feel that the government (state authority) has not attended to this phenomenon with the seriousness it requires.