News Desk Reporter
Government has warned that anyone carrying out their own immigration operations will face the full might of the law.
It says only the State has the authority to enforce South Africa’s immigration legislation.
The warning follows reports of individuals and groups entering homes and businesses to demand identity documents from people they suspect are undocumented foreign nationals.
Addressing the media in Pretoria today, Justice Minister and Inter-Ministerial Committee on Migration Chairperson Mmamoloko Kubayi said public frustration over irregular migration does not give anyone the right to act outside the law.
“These actions are illegal, and members of the community who are part of these activities are warned to refrain from such conduct,” said Kubayi.
“Government reiterates that the management of immigration, border management, deportation and facilitated repatriation is the exclusive responsibility of the State.”
“No individual or group has the authority to take the law into their own hands or to intimidate, threaten or unlawfully remove any person from any community,” said Kubayi.
Kubayi said police and other law enforcement agencies have been instructed to act against anyone involved in illegal searches or identity checks.
“Our law enforcement authorities will not hesitate to act against those who continue to conduct these unlawful searches and identity checks,” said Kubayi.
Government also released figures showing the action already taken against people accused of unlawful conduct linked to migration.
As of 8 July, authorities had opened 205 criminal cases and arrested 350 suspects.
Of those cases, 69 are still under investigation.
A further 112 cases have already been placed on the court roll.
“Government will continue to act firmly against criminality, vigilantism, public violence, intimidation, discrimination and any attempts to conduct informal enforcement of immigration related concerns,” said Kubayi.
The briefing also highlighted government’s ongoing efforts to remove undocumented foreign nationals through legal channels.
Kubayi said the work forms part of the Five Point Plan on Migration.
The plan seeks to strengthen immigration management while protecting human rights and upholding the Constitution.
“We have seen a tremendous increase in the number of foreign nationals that have either been deported or repatriated,” said Kubayi.
By the close of business on 11 July, a total of 53,449 foreign nationals had been processed for deportation or repatriation.
Most were Malawian nationals, followed by Zimbabweans and Mozambicans.
Separate deportation operations also continued throughout June.
During the month, 4,898 undocumented foreign nationals were deported.
They included 1,929 Malawians, 1,384 Zimbabweans, 1,200 Mozambicans and 342 Lesotho nationals.
Between 14 June and 8 July, another 2,801 undocumented foreign nationals were deported.
That group included 910 Malawians, 903 Zimbabweans, 755 Mozambicans and 187 Lesotho nationals.
Government said it would continue enforcing immigration laws through legal processes while protecting the rule of law.