South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has unveiled a comprehensive plan to tackle illegal migration amid growing public concern over unemployment, pressure on public services, and rising anti-foreigner tensions across the country.
In a national address, Ramaphosa announced several measures aimed at strengthening immigration control.
These include harsher penalties for employers who hire undocumented migrants, including possible imprisonment, the establishment of special courts to speed up deportations, and the creation of a biometric register for everyone living in South Africa to reduce identity fraud and improve immigration management.
The president outlined a five-point strategy focused on enforcing immigration laws, strengthening border security, eliminating corruption within the immigration system, closing legal loopholes, and working with other African countries to address migration challenges.
His announcement comes amid escalating anti-migrant protests. Some groups have demanded that undocumented migrants leave South Africa by June 30, while reports of intimidation and violence have forced hundreds of migrants to flee their homes.
In recent weeks, several African countries have begun evacuating their citizens from South Africa due to safety concerns.
Migrants in areas such as the Western Cape and Durban have sought shelter in community centres, beaches, and other temporary locations.
While acknowledging public frustration over illegal migration, Ramaphosa warned citizens against taking the law into their own hands.
He stressed that only authorised government officials have the power to enforce immigration laws and condemned acts of vigilantism, xenophobia, and misinformation targeting foreign nationals.
The president noted that South Africa, which officially hosts more than three million foreign nationals, faces increasing challenges from illegal migration and organised crime.
He revealed that border authorities intercepted more than 450,000 people attempting to enter the country illegally in the past year.
To address labour concerns, the government plans to recruit 10,000 inspectors to identify businesses employing undocumented workers and paying them below legal wage standards.
Quotas will also be introduced to regulate the employment of foreign nationals across various sectors.
Ramaphosa further announced plans to phase out the country’s green identity books, which have been linked to identity fraud, and eventually introduce a digital identification system. Refugee reception centres will also be moved closer to border posts.
The president addressed concerns about foreign-owned township grocery stores, known as spaza shops, saying efforts would be made to ensure all informal businesses are properly registered.
Concluding his address, Ramaphosa expressed confidence that the reforms would help create a more secure, lawful, and prosperous South Africa while preserving social cohesion. He emphasised that migration has historically contributed to South Africa’s diversity and development, but said stronger controls are needed to manage the current challenges effectively.
