CAPE TOWN — The mounting illegal immigration crisis and a looming June 30 deadline for undocumented immigrants to leave the country have become central issues in Parliament. During a National Assembly debate on the Appropriation Bill, lawmakers heavily scrutinized the Home Affairs Department’s handling of the situation and the potential for unrest.
The parliamentary debate coincides with a directive from a civil society group, March and March, which issued a June 30 ultimatum for illegal foreign nationals to depart. Several Members of Parliament defended the group, stating they are assisting a failing Home Affairs Department that has struggled with deportations and administrative duties. Lawmakers argued the group’s actions are not xenophobic or illegal, but rather a necessary intervention to uphold the rule of law, protect sovereignty, and maintain order.
Legislators emphasized that a state’s primary duty is to know who is within its borders, under what conditions they entered, and whether they have a legal right to remain. However, the national immigration system was described as undermined by weak enforcement and administrative dysfunction, leaving many citizens feeling abandoned. It was noted that the current illegal immigration crisis stems directly from the department’s failure to manage the legal movement of people into the country.
Highlighting severe administrative and financial bottlenecks, lawmakers pointed out that the government has spent over 600 million rand to silence public frustrations rather than addressing them. Furthermore, it was revealed that there are only five asylum centers in the country, raising serious questions about how individuals can realistically access the system to legalize their status.
Despite calls for strict enforcement, some MPs warned against blaming vulnerable populations who are also suffering from the government’s legislative failures. Lawmakers highlighted a perceived double standard, noting that the legal status and economic contributions of white tourists and citizens are rarely questioned, whereas black African nationals face intense scrutiny. They questioned who benefits from fostering division and violence among communities.
Addressing potential remedies, a spokesperson for Aljama called on the minister to issue four-year permits to all undocumented individuals without criminal records. This proposal includes Zionist supporters seeking refuge in South Africa, framed as a necessary remedy for the state’s failure to exercise administrative justice.
In response to the looming deadline and the possibility of violence, the Acting Police Minister held a media briefing to outline the government’s security posture. The Acting Police Minister confirmed that law enforcement agencies are on high alert and that the SDF is on standby for any eventuality next Tuesday. To manage the situation and ensure public safety, 600 million rand has been specifically set aside to fund these security measures.
