Parliament’s Home Affairs Committee urges the government to act swiftly on President Cyril Ramaphosa’s directives to tackle illegal migration, saying government departments must act swiftly to ensure the plans announced by the President are carried out.
The committee’s remarks come after Ramaphosa addressed the nation on Sunday amid growing tensions over illegal immigration and increasing calls for undocumented migrants to leave the country.
In his address, the President acknowledged public concerns about illegal migration and announced a package of measures aimed at strengthening immigration enforcement, securing the country’s borders, rooting out corruption, and tightening the regulation of migration.
Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs, Mosa Chabane, stated that the committee supports the President’s focused approach to tackling illegal immigration and warned that failure to implement these measures could weaken the authority of the Head of State.
“We welcome the clear and comprehensive directives issued by the President. We urge government departments to urgently implement all the plans outlined, particularly as many of these initiatives have already featured in the annual performance plans of various departments.
”A failure to implement these measures will undermine the authority of the Head of State,” Chabane said.
He said the President’s reaffirmation of the state’s authority to enforce the law was particularly important at a time of heightened anti-foreigner sentiment in the country and stressed that law enforcement agencies must intensify efforts to ensure immigration laws are effectively enforced.
Chabane also expressed support for the President’s commitment to tackling corruption, which he said had significantly weakened the implementation of South Africa’s immigration laws.
“Corruption is a cancer that erodes both the spirit and the intent of our immigration laws. Eradicating corruption will help ensure that our laws are implemented effectively and are not undermined,” he said.
He further supported the President’s intention to engage fellow African countries on migration-related matters, noting that illegal migration is closely linked to broader socio-economic and developmental challenges across the region and the continent.
“What is critical is a coordinated, government-wide response aimed at enforcing the immigration laws that are already in force,” Chabane said.
The committee chairperson also backed commitments made during the State of the Nation Address to increase the number of labour inspectors within the Department of Employment and Labour and immigration officers within the Department of Home Affairs, saying the interventions are critical to ensuring compliance with labour legislation and the effective enforcement of immigration laws and regulations.
In addition, Chabane supported the adoption of technology and increased investment in drones to strengthen border security and prevent illegal border crossings.
He noted that ongoing funding challenges facing the Border Management Authority continue to hamper the full implementation of its mandate.
Chabane also highlighted the role of the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure in supporting the Border Management Authority through the development and maintenance of border infrastructure.
He said stronger infrastructure at ports of entry and vulnerable border areas is essential to preventing illegal crossings and strengthening the country’s border management capabilities.
