President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced a broad set of measures aimed at strengthening South Africa’s management of illegal immigration while cautioning against xenophobia and vigilantism.

Speaking in a televised national address, he acknowledged shortcomings in migration management, corruption within parts of the immigration system and growing public frustration over unemployment, crime and pressure on public services.

However, he stressed that illegal immigration should not be blamed for all of the country’s economic challenges and said sustainable economic growth and job creation remain the long-term solution.

The government’s new approach is built around five key priorities: stronger enforcement of immigration and labour laws, improved border security, action against corruption in the immigration system, legislative reforms and increased cooperation with African countries.

Among the measures announced are dedicated immigration courts to accelerate deportation processes, intensified operations by law enforcement agencies to identify undocumented migrants and expanded workplace inspections targeting employers who hire undocumented foreign nationals.

Ramaphosa said the Department of Employment and Labour has begun recruiting 10,000 labour inspectors and warned that penalties, including possible imprisonment, will be increased for employers who violate immigration laws.Additional investment will be directed towards border technology, infrastructure and personnel.

The government also plans to relocate refugee reception centres closer to border posts, introduce an Intelligent Population Register with biometric data and gradually phase out the green barcoded identity book.

The president further confirmed the finalisation of the National Labour Migration Policy, which will allow employment quotas for documented foreign nationals in certain sectors.

While defending stronger immigration controls, Ramaphosa emphasised that only the state has the authority to enforce immigration laws and warned against groups targeting foreign nationals.He also announced that special envoys will engage African countries on migration-related concerns and regional cooperation.