The South African government is intensifying efforts to combat illegal immigration amidst protests targeting foreign nationals. Acting government spokesperson Nomonde Mnukwa emphasized the importance of upholding the Constitution in a statement following recent demonstrations by political parties and vigilante groups demanding documentation from foreigners. Anti-immigration group March and March organized protests in Pretoria and Johannesburg, while reports of harassment and attacks against foreign nationals have surfaced in various parts of South Africa, including KwaZulu-Natal.
The government, committed to sovereignty, security, and the rule of law, urged the public to collaborate with law enforcement in addressing concerns related to illegal immigration and unlawful activities. Mnukwa stressed the significance of reporting such concerns to the South African Police Service, immigration authorities, or other law enforcement agencies to ensure lawful and effective resolution, discouraging individuals from taking matters into their own hands. Measures to tackle illegal immigration include enhanced border controls to combat unlawful entry, illicit trade, and fraudulent activities undermining revenue collection and the rule of law.
Furthermore, the government introduced the Electronic Travel Authorisation system to manage people’s movement securely, transparently, and efficiently. This system aims to improve South Africa’s ability to regulate entry while enhancing infrastructure at select ports of entry, as part of broader efforts to address illegal immigration effectively.
