16 Jul Schreiber’s Crackdown on Illegal Immigration

Dr Leon Schreiber, the minister of the Department of Home Affairs (DHA), announced that the South African government will be increasing its efforts to resolve illegal immigration through mass deportation, biometric tracking, and a more rigorous approach to action against corruption inside the DHA.

In response to the public’s growing frustrations over illegal immigration in South Africa, Minister Schreiber further explained the government’s immigration enforcement strategy. The DHA will be adopting a ‘rule of law’ approach by increasing deportations while simultaneously protecting the rights of foreign nationals who reside in the country legally.

Growing Tensions Give Rise to Mass Deportation Efforts

During his address, Minister Schreiber confirmed that the DHA has conducted more immigration enforcement operations in the past financial year than during the previous five years combined. Statistics show that, under the current administration, deportations in South Africa have increased by 46%.

These measures can be seen as a direct response to growing anger and concerns around illegal immigration continuing to take over public debate in South Africa, with recent protests and marches specifically targeting undocumented foreigners.

Further concerns were brought up against vigilante action and racial profiling. “If you are upset about illegal immigration because it undermines the rule of law, then you cannot turn around and undermine the rule of law yourself.” Comments Minister Schreiber.

Digitalisation Efforts to Tighten Border Controls

According to Minister Schreiber, the new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system will require travellers to submit biometric information, which will include selfies that are matched to passport photographs. The department will also be making use of machine-learning technology in order to verify travel documents and identify potentially fraudulent passports.

This new system aims to tighten border controls and identify undocumented foreign nationals. The ETA system will eventually be expanded across all visa categories and allow authorities to implement immigration enforcement without having to rely on physical documents that can be manipulated or forged.

DHA Crackdown on Internal Corruption

Widespread concern regarding corruption within the DHA and border control systems was also acknowledged. Minister Schreiber revealed that since July 2024, multiple officials involved in fraud and corruption within the department and the Border Management Authority have been arrested, dismissed, and prosecuted.

As a long-term solution, the Minister stressed their ongoing commitment to replacing paper-based systems with biometric verification technology in an attempt to reduce fraud and document manipulation.

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