The South African government has outlined a series of measures to tackle illegal immigration, including employment quotas for foreign nationals and increased deportations, as anti-immigrant protests sweep across the country.

Over the past weeks, growing anti-immigrant protests have erupted nationwide, threatening illegal immigrants but also affecting those with legal status in South Africa.

Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni told Parliament on Tuesday that the government would not allow illegal immigration to threaten the country’s stability whilst tabling The Presidency’s Budget Vote for the 2026/27 financial year.

“We cannot allow the problem of illegal immigration to threaten national security and social cohesion. As the President has indicated, government has been implementing measures to deal with illegal immigration in South Africa,” Ntshavheni said.

The minister issued a stern warning to citizens against taking law enforcement into their own hands, saying authorities would deal decisively with those acting against the law and Constitution.

Since the establishment of the Border Management Authority in 2023, the government has strengthened border control at land, air and maritime ports of entry. The Department of Home Affairs has increased deportations of undocumented foreign nationals year on year since 2022, despite capacity constraints.

Cabinet approved a revised White Paper on Citizenship, Immigration and Refugee Protection in March 2026 following extensive public consultations across all nine provinces. The policy framework represents what government describes as the most significant reform of South Africa’s citizenship, immigration and refugee protection systems in a generation.

The white paper aims to curb fraud and abuse, strengthen national security, improve service delivery through digital transformation and support economic development.

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The Department of Employment and Labour has finalised the National Labour Migration Policy, which introduces maximum quotas for documented foreign nationals and provides for the prosecution of employers who hire undocumented workers.

Cabinet has also approved the Employment Services Amendment Bill for submission to Parliament, which will empower the Minister of Employment and Labour to set quotas for foreign national employment in any economic sector or occupational category.

Ntshavheni said 26 364 foreign nationals who are criminal offenders are currently being held in correctional facilities, disputing claims that law enforcement cannot arrest foreign nationals who commit crimes.

The Department of Small Business Development continues to implement the National Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and Informal Business Licensing Framework, which restricts business licensing to South African citizens and individuals with valid immigration status.

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