ACDP Statement on Hiring of Foreign Nationals in Government Departments and Entities

Issued by the ACDP Parliamentary Media Office

Hiring foreigners in sensitive government positions poses public security risk


May 13, 2025

The ACDP is shocked by reports that many government departments have employed foreign nationals in strategic and sensitive positions that could pose a serious public security risk.

The South African National Security Secretariat has raised concerns about hiring foreigners in sensitive roles that might even aid foreign espionage in Government departments.

The ACDP calls on the Speaker of the National Assembly to demand that Ministers ensure that their departments employ more locals than foreign nationals as some seem to be favouring foreign nationals over South Africans.

For example, we fail to understand why a Zimbabwean National was appointed as Chief Heritage Officer when there are hundreds of South Africans who spent years on Robben Island and could successfully serve as the Chief Heritage Officer of that UNESCO World Heritage Site and popular tourist destination.

South Africans, many of whom are unemployed, deserve better. While the ACDP supports employing the best person for the job, this should start with our locals, which we believe will help to reduce high levels of unemployment.

Thank you.

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