Maimane’s utterances came about during the party’s Kasi to Kasi in Manyatseng, Ladybrand, and east of Bloemfontein on Monday, where he was campaigning to garner support for the party ahead of May’s General Elections.

He says border control is vital to the running of nations and it is of importance that they know, at all times, who has entered and left the country, and that everyone here is properly documented. He says the national budgets often get stretched and proper planning is critical to meet the needs of the people. Maimane on Twitter says the DA will make sure that the borders are secure.

He says if the DA wins the elections, it will make sure that there are good diplomatic ties with neighbouring countries. Maimane says there’s a need for border control and stability. “No country in the world can afford to abandon its borders and allow undocumented people to come and go as they please,” he adds.

“Between the Department of Home Affairs and the South African National Defence Force, our borders right across the country have become a complete free-for-all, leaving ordinary South Africans to pay the price, and leaving communities near these borders at the mercy of criminals”. “This border here between Lesotho and South Africa is no exception. In places, there is only the Caledon River that stands between Lesotho and South Africa, and for most of the year it is low enough to be no deterrent at all,” Maimane concluded.

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