PRETORIA — Following the massive South Africa immigration protests that swept across the nation, the government has officially commended the peaceful nature of the June 30 March. While the demonstrations organized by the “March and March” movement and over 20 civil society groups successfully highlighted public frustration over undocumented foreign nationals, civic leaders are now shifting their focus to strict legal enforcement. The national dialogue has rapidly evolved from street demonstrations to the practical implementation of immigration laws, specifically targeting those who harbor or employ undocumented individuals.
Government Commends NATJOINTS and Outlines Five-Pillar Strategy
Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni confirmed that the Cabinet welcomed the orderly conduct of the citizens who took to the streets. Ntshavheni specifically praised the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) for managing security and ensuring the June 30 events remained without violence.
Furthermore, the Cabinet highlighted the progress of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Migration, led by Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi. This committee is executing the comprehensive migration approach initially announced by the President on June 7, 2026. The strategy is anchored on five operational pillars:
- Enhanced Law Enforcement: Boosting labor inspections at businesses suspected of hiring undocumented foreigners. This is overseen by Deputy Minister of Employment and Labor Mr. Joya, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Mr. Ninjabulona, and Deputy Minister of Police Dr. Polyello.
- Durban Specialized Court: Re-establishing an immigration court in Durban to handle deportations processed at the Sherwood facility.
- ORTI Airport Court: Utilizing the immigration court at OR Tambo International Airport.
- Lindela Repatriation Center: Reactivating the judicial processing center at the Lindela facility in Krugersdorp.
- Swift Repatriation: Accelerating responses to support the return of undocumented individuals to their home countries.
Activists Shift Focus to Section 42 and “Aiding and Abetting”
While the government manages the logistical aspects of deportation, civil society organizations are preparing a legal offensive. Mthetho Ngcukayithobi, President of Progressive Forces of South Africa, emphasized that the peaceful protests were merely the starting point of a much larger campaign.
Ngcukayithobi revealed that civic groups are now mobilizing to enforce Section 42 of the Immigration Act 13 of 2002. This legislation criminalizes “aiding and abetting” undocumented foreigners. The activists plan to sensitize communities and subsequently open criminal cases against landlords, business owners, and even school principals who knowingly harbor or employ undocumented individuals.
Clashes Over Government Posture and Resource Strain
The transition from protest to policy has not been without friction. Tebogo Khaas, Chairperson of Public Interest SA, criticized the government’s initial handling of the crisis. Khaas pointed out that it took mass mobilization for the state to address issues that citizens had raised for years. He condemned the combative rhetoric used by some officials, specifically calling out Acting Minister of Police Firoz Cachalia for labeling protesters as “enemies” and suggesting they be dealt with militarily, akin to a Singaporean military general.
Khaas argued that the core issues driving the South Africa immigration protests are rooted in the soaring cost of living, municipal bylaw violations—such as those seen among street traders in Johannesburg—and the exploitation of cheap labor. Because the government lacks the “boots on the ground” to inspect every business, Khaas proposed that the state should financially incentivize and reward citizens who report companies employing undocumented workers. He also highlighted the unfulfilled 2021 pandemic promises of hundreds of millions of rands meant to support local entrepreneurs, leaving them to unfairly compete against undocumented individuals with lower operational costs.
Healthcare Burdens and the “Stolen Vehicle” Analogy
Addressing counterarguments that undocumented migrants should return to fix their home countries, Ngcukayithobi stressed that South Africa is buckling under the weight of its own resource constraints. He cited the healthcare sector, noting that hospitals are owed over 1.1 billion rand, severely impacting critical services like cancer treatment.
Drawing from his personal experience acting as a nurse at Rahima Moosa Hospital in Oakland Park, Ngcukayithobi described a severely overburdened system where the majority of patients seeking assistance were foreign nationals. He argued that this competition for resources disproportionately harms the poorest South Africans.
To counter arguments about the hardship of deportation, Ngcukayithobi used a striking analogy: “If you are found in possession of a stolen vehicle that your kids use for school, the police will still confiscate it. You must face the consequences, but the process can still be conducted humanely.”
Skepticism Toward New Immigration White Papers
Despite the government’s recent announcements regarding a new White Paper to tighten immigration laws, increase fines for non-compliant employers, and expand the Border Management Authority’s workforce, Khaas remains deeply skeptical. He argued that the government has had decades to fix the system, referring to past policy documents as the “green paper, white paper, toilet paper” of immigration.
Khaas pointed to systemic corruption within the criminal justice system as a major hurdle. He shared a personal anecdote about his late cousin, who entered a sham marriage with a Nigerian national purely for financial gain, making it difficult for the family to obtain burial certificates after her passing. He warned that without tackling corruption and sham marriages used to secure citizenship, new policies will fail.
A Sustained Path Forward
As the dust settles on the June 30 March, the consensus among both civic leaders and government officials is that enforcement must be a sustained, long-term process rather than a temporary event. With activists preparing to open cases under Section 42 and the government rolling out its specialized courts, the landscape of South Africa’s migration management is entering a critical new phase.