Zuma Rejects Removing Foreigners Before Vote

The MK Party leader made the remarks at the party's final rally ahead of the 4 November local government elections.

Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Immigration

Zuma Rejects Removing Foreigners Before Vote

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Should long-term immigrants who have lived in South Africa for years be removed?

Jacob Zuma, leader of the MK Party, said at the party's last campaign rally before the 4 November local government elections that he does not believe in removing foreigners from South Africa. He said people who have lived in the country for years cannot be kicked out.

Why it matters

The remarks come shortly after anti-illegal immigration protests led by Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma in the past week, placing the party's position on immigration in sharp view ahead of the local polls. The stance highlights a divide within the political debate on how South Africa should handle foreign nationals.

The statement is a public political position rather than a quantified measure, and the local government elections are set for 4 November. The source does not provide figures on the number of illegal immigrants or foreign nationals in the country.

The players

Jacob Zuma

Jacob Zuma is the leader of the MK Party and a former President of South Africa who spent time in exile in Southern African countries during the apartheid era.

Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma

Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma is a political figure who led recent anti-illegal immigration protests and has been vocal about removing illegal immigrants from the country.

The details

At the MK Party's final campaign rally, Zuma said, "We can't kick people out, people who have been here for years and years." He also said, "We are the owners of this land... This is our father's land," and added that he will remain an ANC member until he dies.

Zuma's activism and exile in foreign Southern African countries took place during the apartheid era.
Anti-illegal immigration protests led by Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma were held in the past week.
Zuma delivered his remarks on 2 November 2026 at the party's final rally.
Local government elections take place on 4 November 2026.

Political Context

The MK Party's stance contrasts with the recent anti-illegal immigration protests led by Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, which called for removing illegal immigrants. The party's position therefore sits against the protest-driven calls for removals in the run-up to the local polls.

For South African voters, the outcome of the 4 November local government elections will shape local representation. The party's stance on foreign nationals could affect how residents in areas with large immigrant populations vote in the local polls.

The takeaway

Voters heading into the 4 November local government elections face contrasting positions on how to handle foreign nationals, and the outcome will show how much weight these issues carry locally. Following the vote will clarify whether the MK Party's stance shifts its local standing.

What happens next

Local government elections take place on 4 November 2026, when voters will decide the outcome of the campaigns in which the MK Party's immigration stance is being contested.