Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs, Mr Mosa Chabane
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Chairperson of the Session, Mr Mothapo,
Fellow Chairpersons within the Cluster,
People of South Africa,
Let me take this opportunity to extend greetings to colleagues and the media community. We once again appreciate the opportunity to reflect on and inform the people who elected us about the work we undertake on their behalf.
Today, we reflect on key developments within the migration landscape: the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) interim report related to Home Affairs and outcomes of recent local government elections.
IEC Voter Registration Weekend
The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) remains a cornerstone of South Africa's democratic dispensation. The work it has undertaken over the years in facilitating local government, provincial and national elections has played a critical role in sustaining and strengthening our democracy.
During a recent joint briefing of the portfolio committees on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Home Affairs and the Select Committee on Justice and Security, the IEC demonstrated a high level of planning, operational preparedness and oversight. The commission further provided assurance that its staff members have received the necessary training to understand and effectively execute their responsibilities during the electoral process.
The committee welcomes the approximately 2.9 million transactions recorded during the recent voter registration weekend. It further commends the more than 400 000 first-time voter registrations recorded during this period. These figures reflect continued public engagement in South Africa’s democratic processes and underscore the importance citizens attach to exercising their constitutional right to vote.
Participation in elections remains one of the most important civic responsibilities that every South African can exercise to safeguard and strengthen our democracy. The increased participation of young people during the voter registration weekend is particularly encouraging and should be celebrated, as they represent the future of our country and the custodians of its democratic institutions.
While the voter registration weekend was largely successful and incident-free, the committee has directed that the IEC conduct a full investigation into an incident that circulated widely on social media during the registration period. The committee expects that the matter will be thoroughly investigated and that appropriate action will be taken where necessary to preserve the integrity, credibility and public confidence in the electoral process.
The committee remains confident in the IEC’s ability to deliver free, fair and credible elections and encourages all eligible South Africans to participate actively in the democratic process by registering, voting and contributing to the continued strengthening of our constitutional democracy.
SIU Report
As a result of concerns raised by the committee on the issuance of fraudulent documents, a process initiated during the sixth administration has exposed the existence of organised syndicates that have systematically sought to circumvent the Department of Home Affairs’ processes in order to unlawfully obtain permits, identity documents and other immigration-related documentation.
Recognising the serious threat posed by these activities, the then Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, appointed a team of experts led by Dr Cassius Lubisi to conduct a comprehensive investigation within the department. The fraudulent issuance of official documents undermines the rule of law, compromises the integrity of South Africa’s immigration and civic services systems, and poses a significant threat to national security and territorial integrity.
This initiative subsequently led to the establishment of a multidisciplinary team working in close collaboration with the department’s Counter-Corruption Unit and other law enforcement agencies. The impact of this intervention has been reflected in the findings contained in the recent interim report released by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU).
During the course of this work, there has been a notable increase in arrests, disciplinary actions and dismissals linked to corruption and document fraud, while law enforcement agencies have made significant progress in identifying, disrupting and dismantling criminal syndicates operating within and outside the department. These developments demonstrate the value of sustained oversight, coordinated investigations and decisive action against those who seek to undermine the integrity of South Africa’s immigration and civic administration systems.
Migration Landscape
South Africa, like any sovereign state, is governed by the Constitution and the rule of law. It is therefore important to appreciate that all persons who enter or reside in our country are required to comply with the laws of the Republic. In this regard, the committee notes the President’s affirmation that concerns relating to illegal migration are legitimate and require a lawful, balanced and sustainable response.
Members of the media will recall that concerns raised by South Africans and various stakeholders regarding the country’s porous borders prompted a comprehensive review of border management and immigration systems. This culminated in legislative reforms, informed by extensive public participation processes, which ultimately led to the establishment of the Border Management Authority (BMA).
Furthermore, a process to redevelop six key ports of entry through public-private partnerships was initiated during the tenure of former Ministers Malusi Gigaba and Dr Aaron Motsoaledi. This initiative represented a significant step towards modernising border infrastructure and facilitating the relocation of refugee reception functions closer to ports of entry, thereby improving the management of asylum and migration processes.
During the seventh Parliament, the National Assembly passed the One Stop Border Post Bill, which seeks to regulate the redevelopment of the initial six ports of entry and facilitate more efficient processing of travellers, refugees and asylum seekers. The committee has further noted the recent announcement by the Minister of Home Affairs regarding the successful bidders appointed to undertake the redevelopment of these strategic ports of entry.
Another important step undertaken by government is the ongoing review of South Africa’s migration policy framework. Once the proposed legislation is formally tabled before Parliament, extensive public participation processes will be conducted to ensure that all South Africans and interested stakeholders have an opportunity to make submissions and contribute to the policy-making process. The committee has already called on the executive to expedite this policy review process, as it is critical to address existing legislative gaps and ensuring that South Africa’s migration framework remains responsive to current realities and emerging challenges.
These developments demonstrate the constructive work undertaken by both the committee, in exercising its oversight responsibilities, and the Department of Home Affairs in strengthening migration governance and border management. While the committee notes the progress achieved thus far, it remains of the view that the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure must accelerate efforts to strengthen and maintain border fencing and related infrastructure along South Africa’s approximately 4 750-kilometre borderline.
The committee further notes that ongoing deportation and repatriation operations have highlighted the need for additional resources to strengthen immigration enforcement. This includes increasing the number of immigration inspectors and labour inspectors, in line with interventions outlined by the President. Enhanced enforcement capacity will assist in ensuring compliance with immigration laws and protecting the integrity of South Africa’s migration system.
To date, the Border Management Authority has facilitated the deportation and repatriation of more than 8 000 undocumented Malawian nationals to their country of origin, demonstrating the growing operational capacity of the authority in addressing illegal migration.
One of the major concerns raised by the committee remains the backlog of asylum appeal cases, which continues to place significant pressure on the asylum adjudication system. While the relevant authorities have implemented a range of intervention measures to address the backlog, the committee emphasises that the success of these interventions must ultimately be measured by a sustained reduction in outstanding cases and the ability to process and adjudicate new applications within reasonable timeframes.
An efficient, fair and responsive asylum system is essential to maintaining the integrity of South Africa’s immigration framework, while simultaneously ensuring that individuals seeking protection are afforded due process and timely consideration of their applications. The committee will therefore continue to monitor progress in reducing the backlog and strengthening the effectiveness of the asylum appeals system.
Migration is a global phenomenon that cannot be addressed by any single country acting alone. It requires international collaboration, coordinated policy responses and inclusive economic growth to tackle its root causes and manage its impact effectively.
Meanwhile, the committee has committed itself to a constructive engagement on the memorandum submitted to the Speaker of the National Assembly by March and March. The committee remains committed to ensuring that all matters raised in the memorandum are given due consideration through the appropriate parliamentary processes and in a manner that promotes accountability, transparency and meaningful stakeholder participation.
Conclusion
In closing, the committee commends President Cyril Ramaphosa for providing clear leadership and setting out a firm framework to guide government's response. The committee further welcomes measures such as the deployment of special envoys to African countries, which will communicate South Africa’s position clearly, strengthen diplomatic relations and help address concerns raised by various countries on the continent.
Chairperson of the session, the committee calls for calm, restraint and responsible conduct from all members of society. We urge South Africans not to take the law into their own hands. The enforcement of our country’s laws, including immigration laws, must remain the responsibility of duly mandated law enforcement agencies acting within the confines of the Constitution and the rule of law.
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