Political parties call on Home Affairs to consider deporting Phil Craig over Cape independence calls

CAPE TOWN - Political parties have called on Home Affairs Minister, Leon Schreiber, to consider deporting British citizen Phil Craig, accusing him of trying to divide the country.

Craig, who is not a South African citizen, is a central figure in the Cape Independence movement, which is advocating for the cessation of the Western Cape from the rest of the country.

Members of Parliament (MPs) still want him out of the country, but Schreiber said it’s not that simple, adding that immigration laws can’t be used to settle political matters.

On Tuesday, Schreiber faced renewed calls for Craig’s deportation from the country for his calls for Western Cape independence.

Members of the Home Affairs committee, such as Thapelo Mogale of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), said Craig should be considered undesirable like, Nigerian televangelist Timothy Omotoso, who has since left the country.

“We raised the issue of Phil Craig and felt very strong about that you can’t have a [person] who is advocating for breaking up this country.”

ActionSA MP Lerato Ngobeni said they’ve also laid a complaint with the department against Craig.

But Schreiber said they can’t just deny him citizenship because of his politics, adding that he can’t be denied citizenship because he hasn’t applied.

“And we must respect freedom of speech that is the right to everyone in South Africa, according to our constitution.”

Craig said in March that the conduct of certain political parties and individuals has been despicable, malicious and undemocratic.