South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has unveiled a comprehensive five-pronged strategy aimed at addressing illegal immigration, strengthening border security, tightening immigration laws and restoring public confidence in the country’s migration management system.
Addressing the nation on Sunday evening, Ramaphosa acknowledged growing public concern over migration and illegal immigration, saying government had a responsibility to respond decisively while upholding constitutional values and human rights.
The president said concerns raised by South Africans about border security, employment opportunities, pressure on public services and crime were legitimate and deserved to be addressed. “These concerns are real. They deserve to be heard. They deserve to be addressed,” he said.
Ramaphosa stressed that while illegal immigration posed significant challenges, it was not the sole cause of South Africa’s economic difficulties, including high unemployment and poverty.He said government’s objective was to ensure that every person entering and residing in South Africa did so lawfully, while maintaining the country’s commitment to human dignity and international obligations.
To achieve this, Ramaphosa announced five key interventions that government would implement.
The first pillar of the strategy focuses on intensified enforcement of immigration, labour and related laws. He revealed that the Department of Home Affairs, Border Management Authority, South African Police Service and other law enforcement agencies would increase operations aimed at identifying and deporting undocumented foreign nationals.
The president disclosed that more than 450 000 people attempting to enter South Africa illegally had been intercepted by the Border Management Authority during the past year alone.To accelerate deportation processes, government plans to establish dedicated immigration courts.
Authorities will also step up inspections of businesses suspected of employing undocumented migrants.In a move aimed at strengthening labour law enforcement, the Department of Employment and Labour has launched the phased recruitment of 10 000 inspectors during the current financial year.
Ramaphosa warned that employers who knowingly hire undocumented workers and exploit them would face harsher penalties, including imprisonment. He said some businesses deliberately employed undocumented migrants because they could be paid below the minimum wage and forced to work under poor conditions.
“Such conduct will attract far stronger penalties and far stricter enforcement,” he said.
The second component of the plan centres on securing South Africa’s borders. Ramaphosa said every sovereign state had a responsibility to know who enters its territory and under what conditions.
Government will continue investing in border infrastructure, personnel and modern technology to strengthen border management while facilitating legitimate trade and travel.As part of the initiative, refugee reception centres will gradually be relocated closer to border posts, beginning with the Tshwane centre this year.
According to the president, this would enable asylum applications to be processed more efficiently and help authorities determine protection needs at the point of entry.
The third pillar focuses on rooting out corruption and modernising the country’s immigration system. Ramaphosa admitted that corruption within government departments had contributed to illegal immigration, with some officials facilitating unlawful entry or selling official documents. He vowed that implicated officials would face dismissal, criminal prosecution and other legal consequences.
The South African government is also establishing an Intelligent Population Register containing biometric data for every person in the country, which will form the basis of a future Digital ID system.
The president further announced plans to phase out the green barcoded identity document, saying it had become vulnerable to identity theft and abuse by criminal syndicates.
The Department of Home Affairs will soon announce a date after which green ID books will no longer be recognised. He further disclosed that government also intends to stop the misuse of Traffic Registration Numbers by foreign nationals, with new regulations expected from the Department of Transport within the next three months.
The fourth aspect of the strategy involves strengthening immigration laws and policies. Ramaphosa said existing legislation was fragmented and contained loopholes that were being exploited.Government has finalised the National Labour Migration Policy, which proposes employment quotas for documented foreign nationals and tougher action against employers hiring undocumented workers.
Cabinet has also approved the Employment Services Amendment Bill for introduction to Parliament. The proposed legislation would empower the Minister of Employment and Labour to determine quotas for foreign nationals in specific economic sectors and occupations.
Government also plans to ensure that informal businesses are properly registered while expanding support for South African-owned enterprises through initiatives such as the Spaza Shop Fund.
The fifth and final pillar seeks greater cooperation with countries across the region and continent. Ramaphosa said migration was a global and continental challenge that could not be solved through enforcement measures alone. He stressed the need to address the root causes of migration, including poverty, conflict and lack of economic opportunities.
South Africa would continue working through regional and continental structures such as Southern African Development Community and African Union to find sustainable solutions.The president also announced that special envoys would be dispatched to several African countries to explain the measures unveiled by his government.
Despite the tougher stance on illegal immigration, Ramaphosa cautioned against xenophobia and vigilantism. He emphasised that only authorised government officials had the authority to enforce immigration laws and warned citizens against taking the law into their own hands.
“We must not allow ourselves to turn against foreign nationals or each other,” he said. Ramaphosa urged South Africans to address the issue through unity, respect for the rule of law and constitutional principles, saying the country could protect its borders while preserving human dignity and the values of Ubuntu.
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