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Mail & Guardian
4 hours ago
- Business
- Mail & Guardian
SA politicians also weaponise migration
A moment to reflect: The US is politicising the issue of asylum, but in South Africa some populist politicians do the same. Photo: Delwyn Verasamy Headlines in recent weeks have been dominated by the meeting between President Cyril Ramaphosa and Donald Trump, after the US president granted asylum to white South African farmers. Framed by Trump as a response to alleged land seizures and violence, the move has been widely criticised as a politically motivated gesture aimed at energising his conservative base ahead of the US mid-term elections. This culminated in a televised version of what Trump might conceive of as version two of The Apprentice in the Oval Office. Despite the ambush, the South African delegation As much as Trump's reality-TV delusions persist, this moment presents an opportunity for introspection, given South Africa's own challenges with immigration. While the United States faces scrutiny for the politicisation of asylum, South African politicians have similarly weaponised migration to serve populist agendas. South Africa stands at the centre of intricate migration dynamics that continue to shape its socio-economic landscape, development trajectory, and national security concerns. As one of the continent's most industrialised economies, South Africa has long been a destination for migrants, asylum seekers, and refugees from across Africa. In a bid to intensify efforts against illegal immigration, Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber recently launched A substantial proportion of migrants cross the border without any documentation. The majority originate from Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi, Lesotho and Nigeria. These migration flows were and are still driven by multiple push and pull factors, including economic hardship, civil unrest and environmental changes in migrants' home countries. As climate change, organised crime and extremist activity intensifies in some areas, internal displacement and cross-border migration into South Africa are expected to increase, further complicating the country's migration governance. In an attempt to curb the influx, the South African government erected electric fences along its borders with Zimbabwe and Mozambique. This was inefficient; illegal migrants continue to enter illegally by damaging the fence. The establishment of the Border Management Authority (BMA) has augmented the fencing efforts. The BMA's mandate is to manage and secure South Africa's borders. This includes facilitating legitimate movement of people and goods while preventing and mitigating illegal activities at ports of entry and within the border law enforcement area. In the 2024–25 festive season, the Despite the deployment of drones, surveillance equipment and improved patrols, South Africa's border security continues to be problematic. The BMA and the police have both acknowledged ongoing issues, including infrastructural decay and systemic corruption among border officials, which compromise the integrity of enforcement efforts. The government has, since the democratic transition, enacted legislation intended to manage migration more effectively. The There is no definitive method to accurately determine the number of undocumented migrants in South Africa. Estimates vary widely and are often politicised. This is not unique to South Africa — globally, countries struggle to account for their undocumented populations because of the clandestine nature of illegal migration. But the The socio-economic and political costs of irregular migration are often cited by critics of the government's migration policies. Based on Professor Albert Civil society and political parties continue to play an influential role in shaping public discourse on immigration. While ActionSA and the Patriotic Alliance have pushed for stricter immigration enforcement and border controls, the Democratic Alliance has generally supported regulated immigration tied to economic opportunity and legal compliance. The Economic Freedom Fighters, on the other hand, have condemned mass deportations and raised concerns about the financial and humanitarian costs of hardline immigration policies. The government spent more than Despite these problems, it is important to acknowledge the positive contributions that migrants make to South Africa's economy and society. Many fill critical labour shortages, create businesses and bring cultural diversity. Effective migration management should not only focus on enforcement but also on integration, inclusion and sustainable development. A balanced and humane migration policy must consider the structural drivers of mobility across the region, such as poverty, inequality, and conflict, while also upholding the rule of law and national security. While South Africa's migration landscape is shaped by deep-rooted regional and global forces, it would be inaccurate to suggest that the country has consistently implemented evidence-based migration policies or applied them uniformly. Although frameworks such as the White Paper on International Migration (1999), the Refugees Act (1998), and the Immigration Act (2002) lay a strong legal foundation, their implementation has often been ad hoc, reactive and vulnerable to political influence. South Africa's adoption of a non-encampment model for refugees and asylum seekers, rooted in a rights-based approach aligned with the Constitution and international obligations, is commendable in principle. It allows refugees to live freely rather than being confined to camps. But this model also presents significant administrative and logistical problems, particularly in ensuring access to services, legal protections and regular documentation. One clear example of these difficulties is the persistent dysfunction within the asylum system, where application backlogs and lengthy appeals processes have left thousands in prolonged legal uncertainty. Another example is border management. Despite the creation of the BMA and increased investment in surveillance technologies, porous borders and corruption among officials undermine state efforts and contradict stated policy goals. To build a migration regime that is truly secure, fair and reflective of constitutional values, South Africa must commit to depoliticising migration governance, investing in institutional capacity and using reliable data to drive reform — rather than responding to public pressure or electoral cycles. Leleti Maluleke is a peace and security researcher at Good Governance Africa.
The South African
2 days ago
- The South African
Watch: SAPS raiding factory employing over 300 illegal foreigners
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli and the South African Police Service (SAPS) raided a textile factory in Stanger after discovering it was employing over 300 undocumented foreign nationals. The operation formed part of a broader crackdown on illegal immigration and non-compliant businesses. SABC News reported that law enforcement arrived at the factory and found the gates locked. Officers used ladders to scale the walls and gain access to the premises. Inside, they found hundreds of undocumented workers. Some of the workers attempted to flee into nearby bushes, but police arrested them. The Department of Home Affairs was on-site to begin processing those detained to determine their immigration status. According to SABC News, KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli said authorities would deport all foreign nationals found to be in the country illegally. 'Once Home Affairs confirms their immigration status, the police will assist in deporting those without legal documentation,' Ntuli said. Ntuli noted that Home Affairs had already secured buses for deportation following earlier raids. He also confirmed that police arrested the factory owners for employing undocumented workers. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
3 days ago
- Politics
- The South African
Operation New Broom sweeps clean for Home Affairs
At its heart, Operation New Broom at Home Affairs is a technology-driven initiative, insists Minister Dr. Leon Schreiber. However, whether you consider it an old-school issue, illegal immigrants in South Africa all face the same fate. Arrest, conviction and deportation and prohibition from reentering the country. Launched last week, the technology powering Operation New Broom is biometric data. Through digital ID photos and fingerprints, biometric data will verify any residents' immigration status, thereby eliminating the risk of fraudulent documents (like the old green mamba ID booklet). Operation New Broom is yet another example of Dr. Leon Schreiber making his mark in office at such a young age. Image: File Moreover, the first campaign of Operation New Broom has already taken place in Cape Town's District 6, before becoming a nationwide operation. Operation New Broom saw the arrest of 25 suspects for occupying land meant for victims of forced removals. Home Affairs Minister Dr. Schreiber says Operation New Broom tackles an old-time issue with the latest technology. 'As with everything we do, Operation New Broom is guided by our commitment to the rule of law. It is this commitment that both motivates us to do more to combat illegality, and to uphold due process and legal compliance. The benefits of our commitment to digital transformation are being felt across all areas of Home Affairs' mandate, including through the strides made by the Border Management Authority (BMA),' Schreiber said Operation New Broom will be ramped-up to run countrywide. Image: File Earlier in the year, the BMA unveiled a new range of surveillance technology to enhance its efforts. These included 40 body-worn cameras and a set of state-of-the-art drones to monitor border operations. The cameras allow operators in control rooms to observer live footage from all BMA officers. Furthermore, the minister encouraged anyone living illegally in the country to deport themselves. 'Voluntarily deport yourself now, before we arrest and prohibit you from reentering or obtaining legal status in South Africa in the future,' said Schreiber. There was no word on where Operation New Broom will sweep up next, but illegal immigrants have been warned. They will face no mercy from the authorities … Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
9 News
3 days ago
- Business
- 9 News
New kiosks cut wait times at Sydney International Airport by 10 per cent
Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here BREAKING Elon Musk leaves Trump's White House International arrivals are being met with faster processes at Sydney Airport after the installation of eight new SmartGate kiosks cut wait times by 10 per cent. The kiosks are the automated border-control system operated by the Australian Border Force that allows inbound international travellers to check in and verify their identity for a faster arrival. The new kiosks were installed in the international terminal this year and are estimated to process an additional 640 travellers an hour. International arrivals are being met with faster processes at Sydney Airport. (Supplied) According to Sydney Airport, the kiosks have already cut wait times by 10 per cent in the first quarter of this year compared to the last quarter of last year. That left 90 per cent of inbound passengers clearing immigration within 36 minutes. "When a tourist reaches Australia, I want them straight out there enjoying Sydney as soon as they can," Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said. Today's announcement is part of a rollout that will see a further 32 kiosks installed by early next year, doubling the number of kiosks that were previously at the terminal. The new kiosks were installed in the international terminal this year. (Nine) The additional kiosks are hoped to keep up with the increasing number of international travellers, maintain border security and streamline processes for arriving passengers. "The Australian Border Force's priority remains protecting and upholding the nation's border control, and with increased access to technological enhancements, we hope that travellers' experiences will be seamless from gate to gate," Australian Border Force Commander Belinda Conn said. "ABF officers will always be on site to assist travellers through the border clearance process." Upgrades to the security screening at the international terminal are also underway, with seven of the 15 new CT scanning lanes now operational. Sydney Airport Sydney New South Wales national Australia CONTACT US Property News: You can only access this beach shack at low tide.
AU Financial Review
3 days ago
- Business
- AU Financial Review
Defence budget misses ‘crucial opportunity' to prepare for challenges
Australia risks falling behind on current defence spending levels with a major re-armament under way in the Indo-Pacific, a report warns. The Australian Strategic Policy Institute released its analysis of the 2025/26 defence budget on Thursday, claiming defence funding fails to address the seriousness of threats facing the nation. The budget misses a 'crucial opportunity' to prepare Australia's military and defence industrial base for future challenges, the report says. Under the Albanese government's spending plans, defence spending is set to rise to about 2.3 per cent of GDP within a decade. While the government has committed to bringing forward $1 billion in funding, the report says no 'significant uplift' is expected until after 2028/29, despite the current era being described by authorities as the most dangerous since the end of World War II. The nation's strategic environment was deteriorating rapidly, the report's principal author and former Home Affairs department deputy secretary Marc Ablong said. 'Australia faces a real risk of being left behind at the very time when the potential use of the ADF as a military force is rising,' he told AAP. The government needs to urgently reform defence so it can better collaborate with industry, said Ablong, who is a senior fellow of the institute. He said the nation needed to acquire capability fast, and attempts to 'Australianise' everything through modifications took time, introduced risk and added costs. The report recommends the government commit to funding national resilience measures across the economy and society to ensure Australia is ready to manage potential national security crises. It also calls for improved transparency and for defence to increase its public messaging. In the information war, Australia needs a defence communications strategy to combat nations with propaganda expertise. 'The bureaucracy is being beaten by loud voices amplified by foreign adversaries,' the report said. Ablong said Defence culture should be overhauled, with the biggest change being an embrace of risk, while labelling it's decision making process 'too slow'. He said the military had struggled to integrate women and minorities.
