South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced a sweeping clampdown on illegal migration, saying his administration will intensify deportations, secure its borders, stamp out corruption in Home Affairs, tighten immigration laws and work with African partners on a regional response.
Addressing the nation from the Union Buildings in Tshwane on Sunday, 7 June 2026, Ramaphosa said Cabinet had adopted a Comprehensive Approach for Migration Management, endorsed by the President’s Coordinating Council, which includes premiers, MECs, local government and the National House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders.
The plan, he said, seeks a South Africa that remains true to constitutional values and human dignity while enforcing the law.
The first pillar is a concerted crackdown on breaches of immigration, labour and other laws.
The Department of Home Affairs, Border Management Authority, SAPS and other agencies will intensify the identification and deportation of undocumented foreign nationals.
Ramaphosa said the Border Management Authority intercepted more than 450,000 people attempting to enter South Africa illegally in the past year.
The government will set up dedicated immigration courts to speed up deportations.
Inspections targeting companies employing undocumented workers will increase. The Department of Employment and Labour has launched a phased recruitment of 10,000 inspectors for this financial year.
Penalties for employers who break the Immigration Act will be raised to include imprisonment.
Ramaphosa said it was unacceptable for employers to pay a fine and continue employing undocumented workers whom they exploit.
A plan developed with the logistics and freight industry and labour organisations will address violations in the transport sector.
The second pillar is border security.
“Every sovereign nation has a responsibility to know who enters its territory, why they are entering and how long they are permitted to stay,” Ramaphosa said. “Secure borders are not a sign of hostility towards other countries.”
He said the government will invest in modern technology, infrastructure and personnel to secure borders while facilitating legitimate trade and travel.
Refugee reception centres will be relocated to border posts in phases, starting with the Tshwane centre this year, to ensure asylum applications are processed more efficiently and fairly at the point of entry.
The third pillar is strengthening the immigration system by rooting out corruption and deploying technology.
Ramaphosa said illegal immigration is often enabled by officials who sell documents or facilitate unlawful entry, and that those responsible will face dismissal, criminal prosecution and the full consequences of the law.
An Intelligent Population Register containing biometric data for every person in the country will be established, laying the foundation for a Digital ID. Green ID books will be progressively discontinued, and Home Affairs will set a date after which they will not be recognised.
The abuse of the Traffic Registration Number, used by foreign nationals to register or buy vehicles but increasingly used as a form of identification, will end.
The Department of Transport will issue new regulations within three months to align with the country’s identification laws.
The fourth pillar is closing gaps in laws and policies, which Ramaphosa described as fragmented and contradictory.
The government has finalised the National Labour Migration Policy, which proposes maximum quotas for the employment of documented foreign nationals and deals with prosecutions of employers hiring undocumented workers.
The Employment Services Amendment Bill, approved by Cabinet for introduction to Parliament, empowers the Minister to set quotas for foreign nationals in any sector or occupational category.
The Department of Small Business Development, working with SALGA, will complete the registration of small and informal businesses and support South African informal traders through the Spaza Shop Fund.
The final pillar is cooperation with other countries.
Ramaphosa said migration pressures cannot be addressed through enforcement alone and require peace, growth and opportunity. South Africa will work through SADC, the African Union and bilaterally to seek sustainable solutions, and envoys will be sent to several African countries to outline the measures.
The Cabinet will regularly review progress. The Inter-Ministerial Committee on Migration will coordinate the response, and NATJOINTS structures have been directed to strengthen coordination among law enforcement, intelligence and security agencies.
Ramaphosa said law enforcement and security services are ready to protect public safety and critical infrastructure, and warned against anyone exploiting the issue to destabilise the country.
He said recent changes to immigration laws will still allow South Africa to attract tourists, skilled talent and investment through lawful channels, and that migration, properly managed, benefits the country.
“We reject the notion that we must tolerate illegal immigration,” he said. “We can protect our borders while protecting human dignity. We can enforce our laws while upholding our Constitution.”
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