South Africa is preparing to implement major immigration reforms that could have a significant impact on thousands of foreign nationals, including Kenyans who live, work, study, or hope to seek opportunities in the country.
The changes were announced by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa during a national address on June 7 as part of the efforts to strengthen border management and improve enforcement of immigration laws.
The reforms come at a time when immigration has become a highly debated issue in South Africa.
Many citizens have expressed concerns about illegal immigration, arguing that it contributes to unemployment and places additional pressure on public services such as healthcare, housing, and education.
In response, the government has introduced a series of measures aimed at improving oversight of who enters and remains in the country.
Speaking during the address, Ramaphosa said every country has a responsibility to know who is entering its borders, why they are visiting, and how long they intend to stay.
He stressed that effective border control is an important part of maintaining national security and ensuring proper governance.
One of the most notable changes is a tougher approach toward employers who hire undocumented migrants.
Businesses found repeatedly violating immigration laws could face stricter penalties, including possible jail terms. To support enforcement efforts, the government has begun recruiting 10,000 inspectors who will conduct workplace inspections, particularly in sectors such as transport and logistics where undocumented employment is believed to be common.
The government is also planning a gradual shift from the traditional paper-based green book identity documents to secure biometric digital IDs.
These digital identification systems will be available to South African citizens as well as legally documented migrants.
Authorities believe the new system will help reduce identity fraud and improve the management of population records.
Additional measures include investing in modern surveillance technology, improving border infrastructure, and deploying more personnel at key entry points.
Refugee reception centres will also be moved closer to border areas, while dedicated immigration courts will be established to speed up the handling of immigration-related cases.
The government intends to intensify anti-corruption operations targeting officials suspected of facilitating illegal entry or issuing fraudulent documents.
Although the reforms come amid growing anti-immigration protests in parts of the country, Ramaphosa cautioned against blaming migrants for economic challenges.
He argued that weaknesses in the immigration system, rather than migrants themselves, are the main problem the reforms are intended to address.
