PRETORIA — The South African government has reassured the public that it is taking decisive action against illegal migration, with the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Migration implementing stringent measures to secure national borders and address the challenges of irregular migration across the country.
Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi, who chairs the committee, briefed the media in Pretoria and affirmed that the matter is receiving special attention. She acknowledged that irregular migration is a massive challenge and assured citizens that societal concerns are not being disregarded. To combat the phenomenon, the committee has developed a comprehensive strategy to improve border infrastructure, enhance social services, streamline the registration of small businesses, and review the standard operating procedures for asylum seekers and refugees.
Minister Kubayi highlighted that there is currently heightened vigilance across all ports of entry, encompassing land, air, and sea borders. As evidence of this enforcement, she cited the recent interception of nine Bangladeshi nationals at O.R. Tambo International Airport who attempted to enter the country using fraudulent visas. Additionally, she pointed to the seizure of abalone (perlemoen) with a street value of just under 1 billion rand at Beit Bridge as another significant enforcement success.
To support these border security efforts, the Home Affairs Department is rolling out reforms to digitize its systems and eliminate corruption. Kubayi provided specific context regarding the green ID book, noting that it is the most defrauded identity document in South Africa and the broader African continent. She explained that the physical photograph on the green ID is easily manipulated or swapped if lost or stolen, a vulnerability that is now being exacerbated by artificial intelligence capable of manipulating documents on a much larger scale.
Addressing the specific situation in Durban, where Malawian nationals are seeking repatriation, Kubayi clarified that South Africa does not operate refugee camps. The Malawian government has commissioned eight buses to begin moving its citizens from the Sherwood area. To expedite the repatriation process, the South African government is supporting the effort by providing 10 additional buses. Furthermore, 980 Malawian nationals were deported from the Lindela Repatriation Centre on June 10 as part of the ongoing crackdown. A court will also be reestablished at Lindela to further accelerate future deportations.
Authorities had previously offered the Malawian nationals the option to integrate into local communities, backed by a dedicated South African Police Service (SAPS) presence. Those unwilling to integrate were told they would be moved to Lindela; however, Kubayi confirmed that no individuals have opted for the latter. Moving forward, the government is working with the city to strictly enforce municipal bylaws, warning that anyone caught violating regulations in the Sherwood environment will face legal consequences. To date, approximately 1,140 Malawian nationals in Sherwood have been processed and verified, with the numbers expected to increase as verification continues.
Recognizing that migration is a regional challenge, the government emphasized the need for coordinated diplomatic engagements. The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) will continue to engage the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the foreign ministries of affected countries. These engagements aim to coordinate repatriation protocols, share operational intelligence, and ensure that all actions align with regional commitments and mutual assistance agreements.
Furthermore, DIRCO will provide regular factual briefings to foreign missions to prevent and counter the spread of misinformation. The government identified misinformation and disinformation as key drivers of instability and has formally cautioned the public against the circulation of fake videos and images across various digital platforms.
