Category: Africa

The Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on Migration has outlined a series of measures to strengthen South Africa’s asylum system and broader migration management following the Constitutional Court judgment that expanded access to the asylum determination process.

The measures follow an urgent IMC meeting on Wednesday night to assess the operational impact of the judgment, after Refugee Reception Offices experienced a significant increase in people seeking to lodge asylum applications.   

Briefing media in Pretoria on Thursday, IMC Chairperson and Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mmamoloko Kubayi, said the IMC is working with the Department of Home Affairs, Border Management Authority, law enforcement agencies and other departments to address the immediate pressure on the asylum system.

The IMC said the Constitutional Court judgment, handed down in July in the matter of the Scalabrini Centre of Cape Town and Another v Minister of Home Affairs and Others, must not be interpreted as legalising unlawful migration or giving people an automatic right to remain in the country.  

The Court declared certain provisions of the Refugees Act unconstitutional because they prevented some people from accessing the asylum system solely on procedural grounds. These included people who had entered South Africa irregularly, did not possess an asylum transit visa or failed to report to a Refugee Reception Office within the prescribed period.

The Court found that such procedural barriers could result in people being excluded from the asylum process before their claims were properly assessed.

READ | ConCourt asylum ruling does not automatically grant refugee status – IMC

The response includes strengthening refugee processing capacity and administrative systems, enhancing identity verification and biometric screening, accelerating the adjudication of asylum applications and improving information-sharing between migration, security and law enforcement agencies.

Government will also intensify efforts to identify fraud and abuse within the asylum system.

“Our coordinated response includes continuing to enforce immigration laws against persons who do not qualify for protection under South African law. We further reiterate that abuse of our systems will not be tolerated by the State,” Kubayi said. 

SIU investigation to be extended to refugee centres

The IMC said it would recommend that President Cyril Ramaphosa extend the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) proclamation to include all Refugee Reception Offices, with the aim being to investigate and address the fraudulent issuing of asylum status.

The committee said it is also engaging legal teams to consolidate existing court judgments relating to migration, assess their implications, and advise government on implementation.

The legal team will consider options available to the State, including precedents for dealing with situations where significant time and resources are required to implement court judgments.

The legal team is also coordinating government’s response to directives issued by the Gauteng Judge President following two contradictory judgments from divisions in the province.

Refugee centres to move closer to borders

The IMC reiterated its plan to move Refugee Reception Offices from inland areas towards South Africa’s borders. The phased relocation is expected to start in December.

The committee said this would allow asylum applications to be processed closer to points of entry, with people whose applications are rejected able to be turned back at ports of entry, while those whose applications are approved can proceed into the Republic.

The move forms part of government’s broader review of migration policies and legislation. Home Affairs has already begun the legislative drafting process following the review of migration policy, including legislation governing the granting of refugee status.

Five-Point Plan remains in force

The IMC stressed that the Constitutional Court judgment has not changed government’s broader Five-Point Plan for managing migration.

The plan focuses on strengthening border management and preventing illegal border crossings; tackling criminal syndicates involved in human smuggling, trafficking and document fraud; improving migration management and documentation systems; accelerating the deportation of people who have exhausted their legal remedies and do not qualify to remain in South Africa, and promoting social cohesion and lawful migration practices.

“These measures remain central to government’s efforts to ensure safe, secure and orderly migration,” the IMC Chairperson said. 

The IMC also reiterated that Cabinet had approved a phased border infrastructure plan aimed at strengthening the country’s borders and preventing the illegal movement of people and goods.

Warning against misinformation and vigilantism

The committee expressed concern about misinformation and disinformation surrounding the Constitutional Court judgment, saying this could fuel social tensions and undermine confidence in government institutions.

It urged South Africans to verify information through official Government channels rather than social media posts, fabricated content and sensational claims.

The IMC also welcomed a request from Operation Dudula leadership for engagement and said a meeting would take place on Thursday.

The committee warned against vigilantism and discrimination, while urging cooperation between citizens and Government in addressing migration challenges.

“At this important moment, it is essential that all sectors of society uphold the Constitution, respect the independence of the judiciary and reject any attempt to incite hostility, violence, vigilantism, or discrimination,” Kubayi said.

The IMC said South Africa’s migration challenges required cooperation across national, provincial and local government, as well as with social partners and communities.

IMC to report on migration plan

The committee said it would continue with its immediate, medium-term and long-term tasks until the objectives assigned to it by the President are achieved.

The IMC is scheduled to hold its regular meeting next week, followed by a media briefing on progress towards implementing the Five-Point Plan.

The committee said South Africa’s migration system must balance border security, lawful migration and the protection of people who genuinely qualify for asylum, while ensuring that the country’s laws are enforced. – SAnews.gov.za

The eThekwini Municipality’s accelerated service delivery intervention is yielding positive results, with a decrease in the number of reported water leaks across the city.

This follows a city-wide programme led by eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba to restore critical water and sanitation infrastructure and address persistent leaks and sewer spillages. 

The intervention forms part of the municipality’s accelerated programme, which deploys technical response teams to areas affected by persistent water leaks and sewer spillages.

According to the municipality, since the programme started two months ago, the city has seen a significant reduction in the water leak backlog, with the number of reported water leaks dropping from 13 000 to 3 900.

On Wednesday, Xaba conducted a high-level inspection of water and sanitation infrastructure in uMlazi Wards 80, 81 and 88, where he monitored repairs to water leaks and the clearing and flushing of severe sewer network blockages.

“Our goal here is not just to apply temporary fixes, but to ensure our maintenance crews clear the backlog systemically, restore the dignity of our residents, and protect our environment from toxic spillages,” Xaba said. 

He warned that the misuse of public infrastructure remains a primary driver of recurring sewer system blockages across the municipality.

Xaba urged residents to help protect the city’s infrastructure by refraining from disposing of foreign objects in sewer manholes.

He also encouraged residents to report illegal water connections, which he said overload existing water and sanitation infrastructure. – SAnews.gov.za
 

Twenty-four undocumented persons were arrested in Reitz, in the Free State, on Thursday.

Their arrest follows a joint crime prevention operation conducted in the early hours of this morning, the South African Police Service (SAPS) said.

The arrested persons comprise five females and 15 males from Malawi, as well as four males from Lesotho. 

The crime prevention operation targeted contact and property-related crimes which were identified as priority concerns during the previous quarter within the Reitz policing precinct.

The police operation targeted crimes such as assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, murder, residential and business burglaries, damage to essential infrastructure, theft of copper cables and stock theft. 

“As part of proactive measures to address these challenges and prevent further criminal activities, members of the Reitz police, Nketoana Local Municipality and the Department of Home Affairs Immigration Unit conducted a joint operation which yielded positive results,” the police said in a statement.

“The South African Police Service remains committed to working together with relevant stakeholders to prevent and combat crime. Through collaborative efforts, we can create safer communities and save lives,” the police said. – SAnews.gov.za

Umalusi CEO Dr Mafu Rakometsi  has assured the public that examination bodies have systems in place to address and manage assessment and examination irregularities.

Rakometsi was briefing the media on Thursday in Pretoria on the state of readiness for the final examinations, which are due to commence on 13 October.

A total of 1 079 879 candidates will sit for the General Education and Training Certificate: Adult Basic Education and Training (GETC: ABET), National Certificate (Vocational) [NC(V)] Level 4 and National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations.

“Should they arise, irregularities will be handled within the relevant system and in accordance with the regulations governing the conduct, administration and management of assessments and examinations.  

“Umalusi urges assessment bodies to take every necessary step to identify and prevent irregularities during the examinations. Candidates are also warned against using unlawful means to gain an unfair advantage. Hard work, honesty and diligent study remain the foundations of academic success,” he stated. 

Rakometsi noted that Umalusi remains concerned about “recurring irregularities involving Integrated Summative Assessment Tasks [ISAT], Practical Assessment Tasks [PAT] and Internal Continuous Assessments [ICASS]” at Department of Higher Education (DHET) colleges.

These core assessment components are used in South Africa’s technical, vocational and general education systems to measure students’ theoretical knowledge and practical competence. 

“Umalusi has repeatedly advised the DHET that successful implementation of ISAT and PAT requires comprehensive planning, including adequate resources and facilities and appropriate scheduling. 

“However, little progress appears to have been made. Umalusi will deploy officials to monitor the conduct of the examinations and ensure full compliance with the relevant regulations,” Rakometsi assured.

He cautioned against preventing learners from writing examinations.

“Umalusi sincerely hopes that the persistent practice of teachers and principals preventing registered candidates from writing examinations in particular subjects will not recur.

“As previously stated, this unlawful practice is driven by an attempt to improve examination results. Umalusi urges learners and their parents or guardians to report any such incident immediately to the relevant authorities,” Rakometsi urged.

The examination period

The examination timetable has been amended to accommodate the Local Government Elections.

“Umalusi has previously identified political activities and community protests as factors that can disrupt the smooth conduct of examinations. Because the Local Government Elections on 4 November coincide with the examination period, related political activities may affect examination operations.

“Umalusi will therefore work closely with assessment bodies, provincial education departments and other relevant stakeholders to prevent election-related activities from interfering with the examination process,” he stated.

Communities were urged to help ensure that the examinations proceed without incident.

“Many schools, including those used as voting stations, hold extra classes on weekends and during holidays to prepare candidates for examinations. Umalusi therefore urges all stakeholders, including political and community leaders, principals, teachers, parents, etcetera, to minimise the disruption caused by political activities, especially in the vicinity of schools serving as examination centres. 

“Umalusi appeals to everyone to provide candidates with the support they need during this critical stage of their educational journey and to take every possible step to ensure that no candidate is unduly disadvantaged,” Rakometsi said. – SAnews.gov.za

The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) will operate extended train services this weekend for supporters attending the MTN8 Final between Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban. 

On Saturday, trains will operate along the uMlazi, KwaMashu, Pinetown, Crossmoor and South Coast corridors, providing supporters with a convenient and reliable way to travel to the match. A return ticket will cost R20.

Services on all five corridors will operate to Moses Mabhida Station until 5:30pm, ahead of the 6pm kick-off.

A dedicated shuttle will operate between Durban Station and Moses Mabhida Station every 30 minutes from 1pm to 6pm.

Services along the five corridors will resume at 8pm and continue until 10pm. The shuttle from Moses Mabhida Station to Durban Station will then operate from 10pm to 10:30pm, allowing passengers to connect with onward services.

PRASA said limited park-and-ride facilities will be available at Durban Station, uMlazi Station and KwaMnyandu Mall for R50 per vehicle.

“Supporters are encouraged to plan their journeys in advance and travel by train to avoid traffic congestion and parking constraints around Moses Mabhida Stadium.”

“As the backbone of public transport, PRASA is committed to providing safe, reliable and affordable rail services that enable supporters to travel to and from major sporting events with ease and confidence.”
Train schedules will be published on PRASA’s official digital platforms. –SAnews.gov.za