South Africa has launched a comprehensive implementation plan to combat illegal migration through increased arrests, repatriations, and border infrastructure upgrades.
The strategy arrives as the government attempts to balance national security with rising anti-foreigner sentiment across the country. By targeting illegal entry and informal trade, the state aims to regain control over its borders and internal registration systems.
Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi, who chairs the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on Migration, presented the plan during a briefing in Pretoria on June 14, 2026. The initiative involves a multi-pronged approach that includes the registration of small businesses and informal traders to better monitor economic activity.
Law enforcement efforts have intensified this year. More than 40,000 illegal foreign nationals have been arrested since the start of 2026 [1]. A substantial portion of this activity occurred recently, with over 7,400 arrests made in the past month alone [1].
Beyond arrests, the government is focusing on the removal of undocumented individuals. A total of 2,745 foreign nationals have been repatriated since the implementation of President Ramaphosa’s plan [3]. The IMC said these measures are necessary to address the surge in illegal immigration and strengthen overall border security.
To sustain these efforts, the government is investing in infrastructure upgrades at border crossings. These improvements are intended to streamline legal entry while making it more difficult for individuals to bypass official checkpoints, a move the government said will reduce the pressure on interior law enforcement.
“More than 40,000 illegal foreign nationals have been arrested since the start of 2026”
The scale of the arrests and the focus on informal traders suggest a shift toward more aggressive domestic enforcement. By combining infrastructure upgrades with strict registration requirements, South Africa is attempting to formalize its migration pipeline to mitigate the social tensions and security gaps caused by undocumented immigration.
