By REGINALD KANYANE

27 October 2026 – Government is strengthening its engagement with traditional leaders, community organisations and civil society to address illegal migration, reclaim hijacked state-owned buildings and improve the enforcement of immigration laws. This follows a meeting between the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on migration.

The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mmamoloko Kubayi said delegation included representatives of the Black Business Forum, Binca Nation, led by its president, Ngizwe Mchunu, and leaders of Hlangana Mzansi. Kubayi said the engagement comes amid several marches to Home Affairs offices by groups calling for stricter enforcement of immigration laws and action against undocumented migrants.

Briefing the media in Pretoria on Monday, Kubayi said the delegation had expressed its willingness to work with government to find practical solutions to illegal migration while supporting efforts to build a safe, secure, prosperous and united South Africa.

“The delegation expressed its support for the government’s efforts to build a safe, secure, prosperous and united country and to address illegal migration decisively. We welcome the community leaders’ commitment to nation-building and to finding solutions to illegal migration.

“The delegation had reaffirmed its respect for South African laws, the judiciary and court judgments, while committing to initiatives aimed at promoting stability and economic growth,” she said.

Kubayi further said the group also raised concerns about unemployment, particularly among young people and pledged to support government efforts to restore investor confidence and revitalise the tourism sector, especially in KwaZulu-Natal. She added that the delegation had clarified that its concerns were directed at illegal migration and undocumented migrants, rather than lawful immigration.

“They also reaffirmed that they are not opposed to immigration that is legal and migrants who respect South Africa’s laws and live amongst the South African people engaged in legal and productive activities. They made it clear that what they vehemently oppose is illegal migration and undocumented migrants.

“The reclaiming of hijacked and illegally occupied state-owned buildings was among the key issues discussed during the meeting. The delegation had expressed an interest in partnering with government to address the unlawful occupation of government buildings, which are allegedly being used for criminal activities, including drug dealing and human trafficking,” said Kubayi.

She said IMC has already engaged provincial and municipal leadership, including premiers, members of provincial executive councils, mayors, city managers, metropolitan police and senior South African Police Service officials, to develop a coordinated response. Kubayi sais they have identified hijacked government buildings by street in the eight metros [of the country] and appointed legal representatives to facilitate the removal of unlawful occupants.

“The government is also working with the private sector to repurpose abandoned and illegally occupied buildings. Government has also identified and profiled state-owned buildings across all metropolitan municipalities, with the next phase focusing on identifying such properties in secondary cities.

“A team of lawyers has been appointed to assist with the legal processes required to reclaim the buildings,” she said.

Kubayi said the delegation also expressed interest in participating in ongoing legal proceedings concerning migration and asylum seekers. She said these include the Scalabrini matter, in which the Constitutional Court delivered a judgment on the rights of asylum seekers, as well as proceedings in the Gauteng High Court concerning conflicting judgments on whether undocumented people who have applied for asylum may be detained.

“The IMC raised concerns about the contradictory Gauteng High Court judgments and requested that the matter be heard by a full bench. The matter is scheduled to be considered on 29 October 2026.

“We urge members of the public to exercise caution when sharing information about the Constitutional Court judgment, warning against the spread of unverified claims,” said Kubayi.

She also urge all citizens not to spread unverified information about the Constitutional Court Judgement. Kubayi said residents must ensure that they verify the sources of information about this judgment. Check that the information you get is from a credible source and that it is correct.

“Government’s response to migration would continue to be guided by the five-point plan announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa in June. The plan focuses on cracking down on violations of immigration laws, securing the country’s borders, strengthening the immigration system, closing gaps in migration laws and policies, and working with other African countries to manage migration.

“During the meeting, the delegation also raised concerns about migrant documentation, allegations that South African immigration officials were issuing illegal documents, and the role of law enforcement agencies in enforcing immigration laws,” she said.

Kubayi said the group further emphasised that calls for stricter enforcement of immigration laws should not automatically be interpreted as xenophobia. She said it expressed its willingness to work with government towards building a prosperous South Africa.

“The meeting concluded with an agreement that government would collaborate with the delegation and other interested parties, including traditional leaders, to address the concerns raised and strengthen cooperation in managing migration,” said Kubayi.

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