President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced a series of new measures aimed at strengthening border security, intensifying deportations, cracking down on employers who hire undocumented migrants and closing loopholes in South Africa’s immigration system.
During his address to the nation on Sunday evening, Ramaphosa acknowledged growing public concern over illegal immigration, saying government had heard the frustrations of South Africans regarding jobs, public services, safety and the rule of law.
The President said while concerns about illegal immigration were legitimate, migration was not the sole cause of South Africa’s economic challenges.
“Illegal immigration is not the cause of all our economic challenges,” Ramaphosa said, adding that economic growth, investment, industrial expansion and job creation remained essential to addressing unemployment and poverty.
Ramaphosa stressed that every person living, working or conducting business in South Africa must do so legally and acknowledged weaknesses in the country’s migration management systems, including corruption and inadequate enforcement.
He announced that government had adopted a Comprehensive Approach for Migration Management, which includes a multi-pronged strategy to combat illegal immigration while upholding constitutional rights and human dignity.
Among the key interventions is an intensified crackdown on undocumented migrants. The Department of Home Affairs, the Border Management Authority, the South African Police Service and other law enforcement agencies will step up operations to identify and deport people residing illegally in the country.
Ramaphosa revealed that more than 450,000 people attempting to enter South Africa illegally had been intercepted by the Border Management Authority over the past year.
Government also plans to establish dedicated immigration courts to expedite deportation processes and increase workplace inspections targeting companies that employ undocumented foreign nationals.
In a move aimed at strengthening labour enforcement, the Department of Employment and Labour will recruit 10,000 inspectors during the current financial year. Ramaphosa further announced that penalties for employers who knowingly hire undocumented migrants would be significantly increased.
“We cannot have a situation where employers who, after being charged and found guilty of violating our laws, merely pay a fine and continue employing undocumented foreign nationals whom they exploit,” he said.
The President also outlined plans to strengthen border management through increased investment in technology, infrastructure and personnel. Government will begin relocating refugee reception centres closer to border posts, starting with the Tshwane centre later this year.
To combat fraud and corruption within the immigration system, government will continue its crackdown on corrupt officials and introduce an Intelligent Population Register containing biometric information for every person in the country. The initiative will lay the foundation for a Digital ID system.
Ramaphosa also announced that the Department of Home Affairs would phase out the green barcoded ID book, while the Department of Transport will introduce regulations to prevent abuse of Traffic Registration Numbers, which have increasingly been used as unofficial identification documents.
On the legislative front, government has finalised the National Labour Migration Policy, which proposes employment quotas for documented foreign nationals and stronger action against employers who hire undocumented workers. The Employment Services Amendment Bill has already been approved by Cabinet and will be introduced to Parliament.
The President also announced measures to support South African-owned informal businesses through improved registration systems and the Spaza Shop Fund.
While promising tougher enforcement, Ramaphosa warned against vigilantism, xenophobia and violence, stressing that only authorised government officials may enforce immigration laws.
“No other person is allowed, for example, to confront someone in the street to demand proof of nationality,” he said.
He cautioned against attempts to exploit public concerns over illegal immigration for political or criminal purposes and rejected anti-foreigner sentiment.
“We must not allow ourselves to turn against foreign nationals or each other,” Ramaphosa said.
The President said South Africa would continue working with regional partners through the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the African Union and bilateral agreements to address the root causes of migration across the continent.
Ramaphosa concluded by calling for unity and respect for the rule of law as the country confronts the challenges posed by illegal immigration.
“We can protect our borders while protecting human dignity. We can enforce our laws while upholding our Constitution,” he said.
