PRETORIA — President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced a sweeping government crackdown on illegal migration, introducing a comprehensive strategy to secure borders and tighten labour laws. Addressing the nation, the President acknowledged that public concerns over illegal immigration are legitimate, citing immense pressure on public services, jobs, and national safety.
The President confirmed that Cabinet has adopted a Comprehensive Approach for Migration Management. This new framework includes the deployment of 10,000 new labour inspectors to target businesses that exploit undocumented workers. Ramaphosa warned that companies hiring illegal migrants to bypass minimum wage laws will face significantly harsher penalties, including potential imprisonment for employers.
A key component of the intervention involves the phased relocation of refugee reception centres to border posts, starting with the Tshwane centre. This move is designed to ensure asylum applications are processed at the point of entry, allowing the state to determine protection needs more efficiently. The Border Management Authority recently intercepted over 450,000 people attempting to enter the country illegally, highlighting the scale of the challenge.
To further tighten security, the government will progressively phase out green ID books in favour of a biometric Digital ID system. The President also announced that the Department of Transport will issue new regulations within three months to stop the abuse of Traffic Registration Numbers by undocumented individuals. Specialized immigration courts will also be established to fast-track deportation processes.
While taking a hard line on enforcement, Ramaphosa cautioned against vigilantism and xenophobia. He stated that only authorised government officials are permitted to enforce immigration laws and warned that groups inciting lawlessness would be dealt with by security forces. The President emphasized that while migration is a global phenomenon that contributes to South Africa\’s vibrancy, the rule of law must remain paramount.
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