Category: MIL-OSI

Government has unveiled a wide-ranging and coordinated migration management strategy aimed at strengthening border security, intensifying enforcement against illegal immigration, addressing asylum system backlogs, and closing legal and administrative gaps in the country’s immigration framework. 

President Cyril Ramaphosa outlined the measures while responding to oral questions in the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) on Thursday, where he said government had adopted a comprehensive approach to managing migration challenges.

He said illegal immigration has been identified as a significant national concern.

“The government has identified illegal immigration as a significant challenge in our country, which has implications for social cohesion, national security, and the provision of services to our people,” he said. 

The President said Cabinet adopted a comprehensive migration management approach on 3 June 2026, which has since been endorsed through various governance structures, including the Presidential Coordinating Council, and engagements with social partners.

The first pillar of the strategy focuses on strengthened enforcement of immigration and labour laws.

“Law enforcement agencies are intensifying the identification and deportation of undocumented foreign nationals. This work will be supported by dedicated immigration courts,” he said. 

He said compliance monitoring at workplaces will also be increased through inspections and stricter penalties for employers who violate immigration laws.

“The Department of Employment and Labor is recruiting 10 inspectors, as I announced in the State of the Nation address, and will increase penalties for employers breaching the immigration act,” he said.

The second pillar focuses on border management and infrastructure upgrades.

“We are directing resources to border infrastructure technology, as well as bringing in more personnel to guard our borders,” the President said. 

President Ramaphosa said government will redevelop the country’s six busiest ports of entry, while refugee reception centres will be relocated closer to border posts to improve efficiency and control.

The third pillar of the approach is the modernisation and digitisation of the immigration system.

“We are establishing an intelligent population register with biometric data underpinned by a digital ID and phasing out the green ID books that enable identity theft,” he said.

He added that the electronic travel authorisation system will be expanded to all airports and major land ports of entry.

Government is also taking steps to address corruption and inefficiencies in the system through increased use of technology and data integration across departments.

The fourth pillar focuses on legal and policy reforms.

Cabinet has approved a revised White Paper on Citizenship, Immigration and Refugee Protection, which will guide a unified legal framework for migration management.

The National Labour Migration Policy and the Employment Services Amendment Bill are expected to introduce quotas for the employment of foreign nationals as part of efforts to regulate labour migration more effectively.

On asylum management, the President said government is working to resolve long-standing backlogs in the system.

“The Refugee Appeal Authority has recruited a number of advocates as additional adjudicators and continues to receive capacity support from the UN High Commission for Refugees to determine and finalize outstanding appeals,” he said. 

The fifth pillar focuses on regional and continental cooperation, recognising that migration pressures cannot be addressed in isolation.

“South Africa cannot address migration alone through SADC, the African Union and bilateral relations that we have with many countries, we will work together to tackle political instability, conflict, and economic hardships that drive people to leave their homes and to come here,” he said.

President Ramaphosa emphasised that migration enforcement must remain a state function and warned against vigilantism.

“We’ve made it clear that every person within the borders must be here more. We have also said that responsibility for enforcing our laws rests with the state and the state law, and that no individual may stop any person to demand documentation or proof of identity or nationality,” he said.

He warned against discrimination and intolerance. The President said government remains prepared to deal with any attempts to destabilise the country.

“As government, as government, we have put in place security and other measures to deal with any attempts to destabilize our country, whether by citizens or foreign nationals, and we will not tolerate any attempts to destabilize the country by anyone, whether marching or otherwise.”

“Our security forces are ready, and those who transgress the measures that we are putting in place will definitely meet the might of the law,” the President said.

On labour enforcement, President Ramaphosa said government will continue strengthening compliance mechanisms, including inspections and enforcement actions against exploitative practices.

He also addressed the recruitment of labour inspectors, confirming that government remains committed to deploying 10 000 inspectors announced in the State of the Nation Address, but said implementation will be phased due to fiscal constraints.

“Regarding immigration, we have determined that indeed we will be bringing in all those 10,000. We are doing it in phases. We’re doing it in phases largely because of the budgetary concerns and restrictions that we have,” he said.

He said training will be prioritised to ensure inspectors are properly equipped for their responsibilities.

Responding to concerns over migrant deaths in the Northern Cape, the President expressed condolences and emphasised the need for humane treatment of all people within South Africa’s borders.

“As South Africans, we pay our condolences to their families and to the governments of their countries, and we want this whole process of immigration to be handled within the parameters of our law and as smoothly as possible, for they too are human, and as South Africans we must handle all these matters in accordance with our human rights culture and in accordance with our values,” the President said. 

President Ramaphosa also noted that a number of undocumented migrants have opted for voluntary return processes.

“A number of them have opted to leave on a voluntary basis, and so therefore we are facilitating that almost 10,000 of them, particularly from Malawi, have opted to leave, and our officials are processing all that through the various reception centers in a number of our provinces,” the President said. 

He added that government’s Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster, through NatJoints, has developed contingency plans to respond to any potential unrest linked to migration enforcement operations.

The President concluded by stressing that migration reform must be balanced, lawful and coordinated across all spheres of government and regional partners. – SAnews.gov.za

1

President Cyril Ramaphosa has warned against vigilantism, xenophobia and any attempts to destabilise the country, stressing that the enforcement of immigration laws remains the responsibility of the state.

The President said this while responding to questions in the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) on Thursday on government’s response to illegal immigration and migration management.

President Ramaphosa said while government had identified illegal immigration as a significant challenge, South Africans should not take the law into their own hands.

“We have also said that responsibility for enforcing our laws rests with the state and the state law, and that no individual may stop any person to demand documentation or proof of identity or nationality,” the President said. 

He emphasised that South Africa remains committed to upholding human rights and protecting all people within its borders.

“There is no place for sexism, for xenophobia, for Afrophobia, or any other form of intolerance,” the President said. 

The remarks come amid growing public debate around illegal immigration and calls by some groups for stronger action against undocumented foreign nationals.

President Ramaphosa said government had already put measures in place to address illegal immigration through strengthened law enforcement, border security, immigration reforms and regional cooperation. 
At the same time, he cautioned against actions that could fuel social tensions or undermine the rule of law.

“As government, we have put in place security and other measures to deal with any attempts to destabilise our country, whether by citizens or foreign nationals, and we will not tolerate any attempts to destabilise the country by anyone, whether marching or otherwise.”

The President said security agencies remain on high alert and are prepared to respond to any threats to public order.

“Our security forces are ready, and those who transgress the measures that we are putting in place will definitely meet the might of the law,” he said. 

Responding to a supplementary question on contingency plans to prevent possible violence and attacks against foreign nationals on the 30 June, President Ramaphosa said government was prepared to maintain law and order.

This as the South African Police Service (SAPS) working closely with other law enforcement agencies, including the metro and private security stands fully prepared for the planned demonstrations on 30 June.

“Our security forces are ready. Natjoints is firmly in charge of what could happen. Therefore, it is our responsibility collectively and it is all of us who are accountable, particularly all of us who are here as leaders,” he said. 

The President expressed confidence that South Africans would reject violence and unlawful conduct.

“I am a strong believer that South Africans are peaceful people. They are not xenophobic, they are not Afrophobic as well, and they want peace,” he said.

He said citizens want to go about their daily lives without disruption and that leaders across society have a responsibility to promote calm and stability.

President Ramaphosa called on political leaders and communities to work with government and law enforcement agencies to prevent any attempts to destabilise the country.

“Where there might be people who want to destabilise the country, we should speak out. We should take whatever action that is necessary on a legal basis, and work with our security forces, and work with our government officials.” 

The President reiterated that while government remains committed to tackling illegal immigration, all actions must be carried out within the confines of the law and in a manner consistent with South Africa’s constitutional values and human rights culture. – SAnews.gov.za.

 

0

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli has called for a balanced, lawful and sustainable migration framework, urging South Africans to address undocumented migration without compromising the country’s constitutional values or human dignity.

Speaking at the Engangeni Ngesango Summit on Undocumented Foreign Nationals in Durban on Thursday, Ntuli rejected attempts to portray South Africans as xenophobic or Afrophobic, saying concerns about undocumented migration should not be confused with prejudice against foreign nationals.

“Our challenge is not a rejection of fellow Africans or foreign nationals. Our challenge is how to manage migration in a manner that is lawful, humane, orderly and sustainable, while protecting the rights, security and socio-economic interests of all who live within our borders,” said the Premier.

The summit was convened to develop practical solutions to migration challenges and move beyond what the Premier described as “slogans, stereotypes and political posturing”.

Ntuli emphasised that undocumented migration is a global issue requiring coordinated responses, including stronger border management, improved registration systems, regional cooperation and effective governance.

“Durable solutions require effective border management, stronger cooperation between countries, and migration systems that are lawful, efficient and credible.”

The Premier said South Africa’s approach must remain grounded in constitutional principles, international law and regional cooperation, while acknowledging the pressures undocumented migration places on communities, public services and local economies.

Reflecting on the provincial government’s Engangeni Ngesango Iyafohla programme, launched in 2024, Ntuli said the administration had prioritised direct engagement with communities, workplaces, border facilities and international stakeholders.

“We did not approach this matter from boardrooms alone,” he said. “We went into communities, factories and strategic points of entry because effective leadership requires direct engagement with realities on the ground.”

According to Ntuli, these engagements revealed that communities were not motivated by hostility towards foreign nationals but were instead demanding accountability and enforcement of the law.

The Premier confirmed that the provincial government had engaged diplomatic representatives, international organisations and civic groups involved in migration issues, including organisations planning demonstrations later this month. 

He welcomed assurances that any protests would remain peaceful and lawful.

“The right to protest is a cornerstone of our democracy, but it must always be exercised responsibly, with due regard for the rights, safety and dignity of all who live in our province,” he said.

He noted that legislative reviews, expert panel discussions and commission sessions had been structured to develop a Programme of Action with clear responsibilities and measurable targets.

The Premier stressed that the success of the summit would be judged by the implementation of its recommendations rather than the speeches delivered during the event.

He called on government, business, labour, civil society, diplomatic partners and communities to work together in developing migration policies that safeguard both citizens’ interests and South Africa’s democratic values. – SAnews.gov.za
 

4

The Deputy Minister in the Presidency Nonceba Mhlauli will on Friday attend the 10th Ephraim Mogale Career Expo at the Laerskool Sports Ground in Marble Hall, Limpopo.

“The career expo will bring together learners, government departments, higher education institutions, SETAs, and industry stakeholders to provide young people with information on career opportunities, skills development programmes, bursaries, entrepreneurship, and pathways to employment,” the Presidency said in a statement.

As part of the programme, the Deputy Minister will interact with exhibitors, engage with learners, and deliver remarks on government interventions aimed at improving youth employment outcomes through initiatives such as SAYouth.mobi, implemented in partnership with the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), and the Presidential Youth Employment Intervention (PYEI).

The PYEI is South Africa’s flagship initiative to create meaningful employment and economic opportunities for young people, aiming to integrate two million youth into the economy over the next decade.

The PYEI is coordinated by a Project Management Office (PMO) in the Presidency and combines the know-how of leading experts, government departments, the private sector, social partners and young people themselves. – SAnews.gov.za

4

The Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia will on Friday address a parade as law enforcement agencies intensify operational readiness ahead of the planned demonstrations scheduled for 30 June 2026 at the FNB stadium.

“The parade forms part of the SAPS’ nationwide state of readiness and operational mobilisation, following recent briefings by police management and assurances that the constitutional right to peaceful protest will be protected, while acts of violence, intimidation and criminality will not be tolerated,” the police said in a statement.

The Acting Minister will be joined by the Premier of Gauteng, Panyaza Lesufi, the Acting National Commissioner of SAPS, Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane, Co-Chairpersons of the NATJOINTS, Provincial Commissioners and senior management of the South African Police Service. – SAnews.gov.za

4