South Africa wants everyone, even illegal immigrants, counted in next month's national census.
Deputy Minister in the Presidency Thembi Siweya called for all to be counted, telling reporters “For you as South Africans, and everybody in South Africa, is to ensure that you become as transparent as possible, so that the data which they are going to collect is a true reflection of what is happening in our country.”
The national census, which includes more than 100 questions, requests a disclosure from all immigrants if they are in South Africa legally. The government said the information gathered will be used for census purposes only, nothing else. But Many foreign nationals have expressed reservations.
One Zimbabwean who declined to be identified fears information about illegals will end up in the hands of the anti-immigrants groups. “We don’t know where our data is going. Political parties are saying foreigners must go. Maybe we give our data and they will track us where we are,” she said.
Most citizens will be physically counted by teams sent out throughout the country. Those who want to be counted by phone will have to register with the office of the statistician general. A provision will be made for those who reply online.
Statistician General Rusenga Maluleke said no excuse will be allowed as the government is determined to count everyone, including visitors and those who will be in transit during this period. “Our field workers will be out there to reach out to everyone who finds themselves within the borders of South Africa,” Maluleke said.