The Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on Migration says over 40 000 illegal foreign nationals have been arrested since the beginning of 2026, with over 7 400 arrests made in the past month alone.
The IMC, led by the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mmamoloko Kubayi, held a media briefing on Sunday, 14 June, to give an update on government’s efforts to tackle illegal immigration and strengthen border security.
The IMC was constituted by President Cyril Ramaphosa, following his address to the nation last Sunday, 7 June.
Various departments, including Home Affairs, Small Business Development, Defence, International Relations and Cooperation, Employment and Labour, Basic Education, Higher Education and Training, Transport, Trade, Industry and Competition, Social Development, as well as the South African Police Service (SAPS), form part of the IMC.
Addressing the media, Kubayi said a lot of work has been done to implement the various interventions that the President announced in his address, which include strengthening border security and stamping out corruption in the immigration system.
Highlighting some of the interventions, Kubayi said the Border Management Authority (BMA) has deployed advanced technologies, including drones and body-worn cameras, and established additional checkpoints along key transport routes leading to major border crossings.
Through intelligence-led operations, roadblocks, compliance inspections, and multidisciplinary actions involving various government departments, Kubayi said the government continues to identify, arrest and process those who are in the country unlawfully.
Business premises and communities in Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng are also being visited to respond to community concerns regarding the alleged transgression of immigration and labour laws by employers.
Kubayi also reiterated that violence directed towards foreign nationals would not be tolerated. A total of 143 people have been arrested for inciting violence since anti-illegal immigration protests erupted.
Also speaking at the briefing, Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber said that they are moving to cancel thousands of visas in the country, including just over 2,000 study visas.
WATCH | Minister of Home Affairs Dr Leon Schreiber says that they are moving to cancel thousands of visas in the country, including just over 2,000 study visas. pic.twitter.com/x6IrLtLPDA
— SABC News (@SABCNews) June 14, 2026
Kubayi has also urged all undocumented foreign nationals to comply with South Africa’s laws and request to be repatriated.
