There are growing calls for Phil Craig's deportation over Cape Independence advocacy.
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The Cape Independence Advocacy Group (CIAG) leader Phil Craig who is British, recently lambasted the South African government for not granting him citizenship.
Craig has reportedly been in South Africa for over 20 years and is lobbying for the country to be partitioned in two parts.
Cape Independence describes itself as "A single-issue political pressure group promoting Cape independence. We are committed to democratically, lawfully and peacefully obtaining independence for the collective peoples of the Western Cape."
Craig’s aspirations for a separate Cape state gained traction among a segment of the population, culminating in a petition titled "Keep South Africa Safe," which has amassed nearly 50,000 signatures.
"As a proud black South African, I am deeply disturbed by the actions of Phil Craig, a UK national who is causing division in our country. His actions are reminiscent of the apartheid era, threatening to tear apart the unity we have fought so hard to establish. It is unacceptable that an outsider seeks to disrupt our peace and harmony," reads the petition.
It went on to say that South Africa has progressed significantly since the end of apartheid in 1994.
"We have strived for unity and equality among all citizens regardless of their race or ethnicity. The introduction of divisive ideologies from foreign nationals like Phil Craig threatens this progress."
The petition further accuses Craig of not understanding nor respecting the country's diversity, undermining unity and its progress towards racial harmony. "His deportation back to England will send a clear message that divisive ideologies are not welcome here. Let's stand together as proud South Africans against any form of division or discrimination in our country."
In September of 2024, Vuyo Zungula, the leader of the South African Transformation Movement (ATM), also called on Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber to not offer the controversial figure citizenship.
In a letter, Zungula said Craig's cause raises major worries about the possible division of South Africa, because Cape Independence would damage the country's cohesiveness.
"Cape Independence would worsen the plight of black marginalised people in the region, further worsen poverty and inequality by stripping them of vital South African Constitutional protections and affirmative action measures," said the politician.
Calls for Craig's deportation have also risen on social media. "You need the guts of a bull to be a foreigner in a country and still advocate for part of it to break away. Phil Craig is shamelessly abusing his white privilege, any other race would've been deported long ago," wrote Michael De Villiers on X.
"Phil Craig is a textbook definition of Persona Non Grata! Revoke his permanent residence, deny him citizenship and send him back to his home. Time to call it what it is," posted Mpho Kendy Madisha.
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