South Africa issues strict new immigration rules for foreign nationals, including Kenyans

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has unveiled sweeping immigration reforms that could affect thousands of Kenyans looking to live, work or seek opportunities in the country as authorities move to tighten border controls and crack down on undocumented migrants.

The reforms come amid growing pressure from the South African public, who argue that illegal immigration is contributing to the country's high unemployment rate and putting additional pressure on public services, including health and education.

In an address to the nation on 7 June, Ramaphosa said the measures aimed to ensure that everyone entering South Africa does so legally and that immigration laws are consistently enforced throughout the country.

He said, “Every sovereign nation has the responsibility to know who enters its territory, why they are entering and how long they are allowed to stay. Secure borders are not a sign of hostility towards other countries, they are a fundamental requirement of a sovereign and well-governed state. Accordingly, we are taking further measures to secure our borders.”

Under the reforms, repeat violators employing undocumented immigrants could face harsher penalties, including a possible prison sentence.

Authorities will also increase workplace inspections, particularly in areas such as transport and logistics, with Ramaphosa announcing that the government has begun recruiting 10,000 inspectors to strengthen enforcement efforts.

Another significant change is the planned phased replacement of South Africa's paper-based Green Book identity documents with more secure biometric digital ID cards for both citizens and legally documented migrants.

Additionally, the South African government announced plans to increase investment in border infrastructure, surveillance technology and personnel to strengthen surveillance at entry points and curb illegal migration.

Other measures include relocating refugee reception centers closer to border checkpoints and introducing a biometric-based Intelligent Population Register, which aims to reduce identity fraud and improve immigration management.

Additionally, Ramaphosa said the government would establish dedicated courts to handle immigration-related cases more quickly and reduce the case backlog.

The reforms also include anti-corruption campaigns targeting immigration officials accused of selling documents, facilitating illegal entry, and engaging in fraudulent activities within the immigration system.

Announcement comes into the background Anti-immigration protests took place in parts of South Africa, some of which turned violent and raised concerns among foreign nationals.

Several countries, including Ghana, Nigeria, Malawi and Mozambique, have since moved to repatriate citizens affected by the unrest.

In May, the Kenya High Commission in Pretoria Advice to Kenyans living in South Africa Remain vigilant following protests and sporadic incidents targeting foreign nationals.

However, Ramaphosa argued that migrants are often unfairly blamed for the challenges associated with poverty and unemployment, noting that the root issues arise from structural weaknesses in the immigration system that the reforms aim to address.