SA launches countrywide blitz on illegal immigrants
SOUTH Africa has launched a countrywide campaign to flush out illegal immigrants as it moves to hedge its citizens against economic hardships likely to be triggered by sanctions recently imposed by Donald Trump’s United States government.
The operation blitz on illegal immigrants is expected to start on March 1, 2025.
In a statement dated February 25, 2025, South Africa’s Home Affairs spokesperson Siya Qoza said they would be targeting illegal settlers from Zimbabwe, Somalia, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Nigeria, and Malawi.
“The Department of Home Affairs, under the directive of the Honourable Minister, hereby informs all foreign nationals residing unlawfully in the Republic of South Africa of an impending national operation aimed at enforcing the country’s immigration laws,” the statement read.
“Effective from 1 March 2025, the department, in collaboration with relevant law enforcement agencies, will commence a nationwide operation to identify, arrest, detain, and deport all illegal foreign nationals who are in contravention of the Immigration Act No. 13 of 2002.
“Foreign nationals without valid documentation are strongly encouraged to regularise their stay or voluntarily depart the country before the commencement of the operation to avoid legal action. The Department of Home Affairs remains committed to a fair and lawful process and urges all stakeholders to respect the legal requirements governing residence and employment in South Africa.”
In 2019, South Africa was home to about 4.2 million international migrants, constituting nearly 7.2% of the entire population.
Each year, thousands of illegal immigrants, mostly from Zimbabwe, are deported from South Africa but soon find their way back as they flee poverty and political persecution back home. NewsDay
