Yasmin Bilal
More than 40,000 illegal immigrants have been arrested since January as enforcement operations continue across South Africa.
The figures were shared during a briefing on the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Migration, which coordinates the government’s response to irregular migration following directives announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Kubayi said the arrests reflect ongoing nationwide enforcement operations targeting immigration violations.
“This is a demonstration that government is not turning a blind eye to illegal immigration and we are intensifying our efforts to bring it under control,” she said.
More than 7,400 arrests were recorded in the past month for contravening the Immigration Act.
“This is a demonstration that government is not turning a blind eye to illegal immigration and we are intensifying our efforts to bring it under control,” she said.
Kubayi said the committee was established by the President to oversee the implementation of the migration strategy and coordinate interventions across departments.
“The President of the Republic constituted this committee to coordinate the government’s work on the issue of migration in South Africa and oversee the implementation of the various interventions as outlined by the President in his address to the nation last Sunday,” she said.
The committee brings together departments including Home Affairs, SAPS, Defence, International Relations, Employment and Labour, Basic Education and Higher Education, with Transport, DTIC and Social Development now added.
“The Inter-Ministerial Committee is led by the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development and constituted by various departments, namely Home Affairs, SAPS, Small Business Development, Department of Defence, International Relations, Employment and Labour, Basic Education, Higher Education and Training, and we have now requested Transport, DTIC, and Social Development to be added.”
A five-point strategy is being implemented, focusing on border security, rule of law enforcement, anti-corruption measures in immigration systems, tackling violence and lawlessness, and legislative reform.
“You will recall that the President outlined the government’s five-point strategy to manage irregular migration, which includes strengthening border security, reiterating the constitutional principle of the Rule of Law, stamping out corruption in the immigration system, cracking down on violence and lawlessness and refining our legislative framework.”
The Border Management Authority has deployed drones and body-worn cameras to strengthen border control.
“The Border Management Authority has deployed advanced technology such as drones and body-worn cameras to intercept those who were attempting to enter South Africa illegally,” she said.
Operations have been intensified at ports of entry and along key border routes, including Beit Bridge.
Nine Bangladeshi nationals were intercepted at OR Tambo International Airport after allegedly attempting to enter the country using fraudulent visas.
The interception of ABBA, a precursor chemical used in the manufacture of Mandrax, was also highlighted, with an estimated value of just under R1 billion at Beit Bridge.
“The interception of ABBA, a precursor for Mandrax with the street value of just below one billion Rands at Beit Bridge, is another case in point,” she said.
Joint operations involving Home Affairs, SAPS and labour inspectors have taken place in the Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng.
In Mossel Bay, 15 foreign nationals were arrested at construction sites during inspections.
In Newcastle, a business owner and undocumented migrants were arrested during a night operation at clothing factories.
A similar operation in Tshwane resulted in 35 arrests, including two employers accused of hiring undocumented workers.
Repatriation processes are being coordinated with neighbouring countries, including Malawi, Ghana and Nigeria.
Nine hundred and eighty Malawian nationals were deported from the Lindela Repatriation Centre on 10 June.
Malawi has provided buses for repatriation, while South Africa has added transport support.
Work to re-establish a court at Lindela is expected to be completed within a month. A priority immigration court is also being developed.
Individuals found in the country illegally may be declared undesirable and barred from re-entry for five years.
Only Home Affairs has the authority to determine legal status in South Africa.
“We reiterate that only Home Affairs will be able to determine whether an individual is within the South African borders legally or not,” she said.
Citizens were warned against conducting their own immigration enforcement.
“We have observed disturbingly that some citizens are insisting on conducting identity checks and other immigration enforcement actions. This is illegal and should not be encouraged in our country,” she said.
Misinformation and manipulated content circulating online were also flagged as a concern.
Government said implementation will continue through coordinated enforcement operations and interdepartmental monitoring.