The Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on Migration says the plan is a coordinated national programme involving all spheres of government, law enforcement agencies, border authorities, municipalities and social partners.
The IMC warned against unauthorised identity searches of foreign nationals, saying some individuals had impersonated Home Affairs officials to target migrants and businesses. “We want to urge whoever is involved in this wrong practice to desist from it or face the might of the law,” the IMC said.
The committee said seven people had been arrested in Polokwane in connection with such incidents. The IMC also condemned attempts to resist lawful enforcement operations, citing a recent confrontation in Bellville. A death linked to that operation is being investigated by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate.
On humanitarian support, the IMC said government and social partners had provided health services, medical screening, food, water, sanitation, child protection and support for vulnerable groups at processing sites and temporary holding areas.
Since Malawian nationals assembled at Sherwood in KwaZulu-Natal between June 14-24, a total of 68 138 foreign nationals were processed, with most repatriated through the Musina Temporary Repatriation Processing Centre. The Border Management Authority processed 72 906 repatriations at ports of entry between June 7 and July 14.
Dedicated immigration courts finalised 28 736 immigration-related cases between April 1 and June 30. Gauteng accounted for 13 312 cases, while KwaZulu-Natal recorded 4 973, the Western Cape 3 334 and the Eastern Cape 2 019.
The IMC said operations at the Musina centre will be scaled down from 20 000 capacity to 1 500 from August 1 after an analysis of recent data trends.
The committee thanked government departments, municipalities, embassies, non-governmental organisations and businesses for supporting operations. The IMC also acknowledged MTN’s $833 000 donation to Gift of the Givers and connectivity support from MTN and Vodacom.
On border security, the IMC said 93 joint borderline operations had been conducted since April to combat illegal movement, illicit goods, human trafficking and drug syndicates.
A Cabinet memorandum will be tabled this week on critical borderline infrastructure projects. Redevelopment work at Lebombo, Beit Bridge, Oshoek, Ficksburg, Maseru and Kopfontein ports of entry is expected to move towards contractual and financial close, with construction planned for early 2027.
The IMC also confirmed engagement with Gauteng metros on hijacked buildings, land invasions, illegal mining and illegal trading.
The committee welcomed a July 19 preservation order linked to a Rietfontein property allegedly connected to a $5.6 million crystal meth laboratory. The order includes seizure and sale of the property and $1 544 in cash confiscated during a November 2024 operation.
On continental engagement, the IMC backed calls for migration to be discussed at the African Union level. “We believe that the solution lies in collaboration, not confrontation,” the IMC said.
The committee said SA remains committed to a secure, humane and lawful migration system aligned with constitutional values.
–ChannelAfrica–
