South Africa has intensified immigration enforcement nationwide, arresting more than 40,000 undocumented migrants this year as authorities tighten border controls and accelerate repatriations.
The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mmamoloko Kubayi, disclosed this during a media briefing in Pretoria.
Kubayi said intelligence-led operations were ongoing at land, sea and air ports of entry to identify undocumented migrants and employers violating immigration laws.
She said the crackdown followed measures announced last week by President Cyril Ramaphosa to address illegal migration amid growing public concern and protests in several cities.
According to her, the measures include labour law reforms, tighter border controls, and efforts to curb corruption within the immigration system.
Kubayi said scores of undocumented migrants and their employers had been arrested in the past week alone.
She added that the government was improving border infrastructure and strengthening access to essential services in border communities.
The minister said the re-establishment of a court at the Lindela Repatriation Centre would help speed up deportation processes.
She disclosed that repatriation of foreign nationals was ongoing, including citizens of Malawi, Ghana, and Nigeria.
Kubayi said the Department of International Relations and Cooperation was engaging foreign governments to explain South Africa’s immigration measures and facilitate orderly returns.
According to her, authorities are also collaborating with partner countries to strengthen border security and improve migration management.
She urged undocumented migrants to comply with South African laws, noting that several countries were voluntarily repatriating their nationals.
“The South African government will not tolerate the circumvention of our immigration systems and laws,” Kubayi said.
She also warned employers against violating immigration and labour regulations.
