Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya
Beitbridge Bureau
South Africa’s Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on Migration has assured the public that the government is firmly in control of the migration situation on the ground and is implementing a coordinated response through law enforcement, border management and humanitarian support.
Since the start of the anti-migrant protests across South Africa, over 80 000 Zimbabweans have returned home through the Beitbridge Border Post- 60 000 returned independently, while nearly 25 000 were evacuated through State assistance.
Chairperson of the IMC, Ms Mmamoloko Kubayi, who is also the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development of South Africa, gave the update during a media briefing in Pretoria on Sunday.
She said the committee is implementing the five-point plan on managing migration announced by President Ramaphosa on June 7, which focuses on cracking down on violations of immigration laws, securing borders, strengthening the immigration system, closing policy gaps and working with continental partners.
Ms Kubayi noted ongoing public concern and heightened tensions in some areas linked to migration.
She said media reports indicate that some groups are conducting searches in homes and businesses suspected to house undocumented immigrants.
“Government reiterates that the management of immigration, border management, deportation and facilitated repatriation is the exclusive responsibility of the State,” said the Minister.
“No individual or group has the authority to take the law into their own hands or to intimidate, threaten or unlawfully remove any person from any community”.
She discouraged violent protests and warned that law enforcement will act against unlawful searches and identity checks.
She said the IMC welcomes the continued work of law enforcement agencies under the NATJOINTS framework.
Minister Kubayi said as of July 8, 205 cases had been registered, 350 persons arrested, 69 cases were pending investigation, and 112 cases were on the court roll in relation to incidents linked to unlawful conduct, intimidation, incitement and related offences.
“Government will continue to act firmly against criminality, vigilantism, public violence, intimidation, discrimination and any attempts to conduct informal enforcement of immigration-related concerns,” she said.
On repatriation and deportation, the IMC reported that 53 449 migrants had been processed for deportation and repatriation as of close of business on July 11.
Minister Kubayi said the majority are Malawians (more than 80 percent) followed by Zimbabweans and Mozambicans, while 2 615 were repatriated beyond the Southern African Development Community(SADC) to countries that include Kenya with a total of 431; Nigeria – 1159; Republic of Congo 86 and Uganda – 939.
She said in June alone, 4 898 people were deported through normal immigration processes.
“The Temporary Repatriation Processing Centre in Musina, which opened on 01 July 2026, has facilitated the repatriation of more than 20 000 foreign nationals,” she said
“The centre provides shelter, water, sanitation, food, health services and transport support, with assistance from government departments, municipalities, embassies, NGOs and corporates.”
Minister Kubayi said there has been a decline in daily repatriations from a peak of 4 850 on July 5 to 1 139 on July 11 and that discussions were underway on a phased scaling down of resources, while deportations in terms of the Immigration Act will continue.
“Between April 1 and June 30, 15 398 foreign nationals were deported and 2 519 joint law enforcement operations were conducted,” she said.
“On the legal front, the government is drafting a new unified framework on citizenship and immigration.
“Dedicated immigration courts in KwaZulu-Natal finalised 2 640 deportation cases between June 1 and July 9. In border management, an implementation plan for borderline infrastructure has been developed and a business case will be presented to the Minister of Finance.
“South Africa remains committed to enforcing its immigration laws, strengthening border management, protecting communities and upholding the dignity and rights of all people.”
