The Department of Home Affairs addressed the question of whether any specific port in South Africa was implicated in wrongdoing.
The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) is attempting to close loopholes that could be exploited by foreign nationals entering South Africa illegally.
One of the gaps identified exists within the personnel employed by the department to process the documentation of incoming visitors.
DHA has made significant progress in digitalizing permit and visa processes, yet manual processes remain common.
Figures on the number of officers facing disciplinary action for illegally assisting foreign nationals were provided by the DHA in a recent response to a written parliamentary question.
Additionally, the department answered questions about a specific entry point and the number of asylum seekers arriving in KwaZulu-Natal.
Officers assisting in illegal entry
The DHA was asked what specific preventive measures were being implemented to address questionable officials and in how many cases action was taken.
From April 2025 to the time of the response earlier this month, 47 officials were referred for disciplinary action, and 22 criminal cases were opened.
The department confirmed that 55 DHA officers have been dismissed with effect from July 2024.
The department defined a branch called Anti-Corruption and Security Services Was responsible for investigating fraud and corruption within the DHA.
This branch is part of the department's fraud prevention strategy implemented to tackle corruption in the department.
“Officials found to have engaged in misconduct, such as assisting persons to enter or remain in the Republic illegally, are subject to disciplinary action in accordance with the departmental disciplinary code and procedures.
“Additionally, cases are referred for criminal investigation where criminal conduct is involved,” the DHA said.
Asylum seekers and refugees
MPs raise concerns over foreign nationals receiving preferential treatment from Home Affairs officials in Richards Bay
However, the department said no charges or investigations were requested or taken against officers in Richards Bay.
The department revealed that during the 2025 calendar year, 2 868 Section 24 refugee permits and 19 809 Section 22 asylum seeker permit holders listed KZN as their province of residence.
The Home Ministry conducted 1 748 inspections in the informal trade sector in the 2024-25 financial year and 3 471 inspections between 1 April 2025 and 28 February 2026.
The department concluded, “Asylum seekers are mobile, and some do not stay in a specific district for long, and there is no requirement for them to register their presence in a district and have free movement.”
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