'South African companies that employ foreigners must not open'

South African opposition party The African Transformation Movement (ATM) says South Africa must impose a strict economic sector regime that will see certain industries being reserved for South Africans only.

In a letter written to the country's President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa, ATM leader Vuyo Zungula said his party wants South Africa to follow countries like Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Ghana and enact laws that prohibit foreigners from taking part in certain economic activities.

Said Zungula, "The reopening of the economy must #PutSouthAfricansFirst. Companies that employ foreigners for non-critical and scarce jobs MUST NOT be allowed to open. No entry-level job must be done by non-citizens. Citizens can't be sidelined economically before, during, and after Lockdown.

"The ATM has the following concrete proposals to make under the theme of Put South Africa first: All businesses that are to open must comply with the South African labor laws which state non-citizens must (only) work on a scarce and critical skills basis. The government must not allow further non-compliance with the law in which companies that employ non-citizens for jobs that South Africans can do... In ensuring that fair and competitive principles are applied, entry-level jobs that are reserved for the unskilled/low skilled population of South Africa must be reserved strictly for South Africans."