AUTOFORUM

MISA comment - Unemployment must be declared a state of emergency

May 28, 2026 MISA, the Motor Industry Staff Association, Martlé Keyter, rising unemployment

MISA comment - Unemployment must be declared a state of emergency

MISA, the Motor Industry Staff Association, calls on Government to urgently declare South Africa’s rising unemployment a national state of emergency. Martlé Keyter, MISA’s Chief Executive Officer: Operations, says the country’s unemployment crisis is fuelling anger, poverty and growing hostility toward immigrants. Unless drastic action is taken, this volatile mix will continue to destabilise communities.

“South Africa’s official unemployment rate of 32.7% for the first quarter of 2026 remains among the highest in the world. According to data compiled by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), between 2003 and 2025, the share of individuals receiving social grants more than tripled, while household-level access also widened significantly. Millions of citizens, particularly young people, are trapped in poverty, reliant on grants and excluded from meaningful work.

“In this climate, foreign nationals who manage to run small businesses or spaza shops are often unfairly blamed for socio economic hardship. Community frustrations are compounded by perceptions of corruption and weak enforcement. Employers exploit undocumented workers to avoid labour laws, officials from the Department of Home Affairs are accused of colluding with criminals and borders control remain poorly managed. These failures deepen resentment and erode trust in the state,” says Keyter.

MISA condemns all forms of vigilantism. No individual or group has the right to demand proof of citizenship or intimidate foreign nationals. Such actions are unlawful and often harm innocent people. The rule of law must prevail.

“In February President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed News24’s Unemployment Summit to create five million jobs in 10 years. If the private sector and Government take hands, this figure can even double. South Africa cannot afford to let unemployment drive anger into vigilantism. MISA urges Government to act now. Job creation is not the foundation for social stability and it is an economic necessity. The creation of decent jobs is the antidote to rising anti-immigrant sentiment,” says Keyter.

#PROUDLYMISA #MISALEADS #MISACARES #MISAONTHEMOVE #MISAFAMILY