President Cyril Ramaphosa has issued a stern warning to South African employers who hire undocumented foreign nationals, saying they risk fines or imprisonment under the Immigration Act.
Addressing the National Assembly on Thursday, Ramaphosa said illegal immigration continues to strain South Africa’s public services and national security, prompting government to intensify border control and repatriation efforts. He stressed that while South Africa remains open to documented and skilled migrants, the law must be applied fairly to protect local employment and national integrity.
Ramaphosa was responding to a question from IFP Chief Whip Nhlanhla Hadebe, who raised concerns about the estimated 15% of undocumented foreign nationals in the country. The president said one of the government’s key interventions is the work of the Border Management Authority (BMA), which has deployed 600 border guards at vulnerable entry points to prevent illegal crossings.
“The BMA has demonstrated the effectiveness of modern technology, like the utilisation of drones,” Ramaphosa said. He added that the guards are equipped with body cameras to ensure transparency and accountability in border enforcement.
He also highlighted the rollout of phase one of the electronic travel authorisation system, which uses machine learning and facial recognition to verify documents and secure immigration processes. More than 200 G20-related applications have already been processed under the pilot phase.
Following the G20 summit, the system will expand to cover tourist and other visa categories, paving the way for the automation of entry and exit processes at all major borders.
Within South Africa, Ramaphosa said intelligence-driven operations led by the Department of Home Affairs, the Inland Inspectorate, and law enforcement agencies are actively identifying, detaining, and deporting undocumented migrants. In the past financial year, over 51,000 illegal immigrants were deported.
While acknowledging public frustration over undocumented migration, Ramaphosa cautioned against vigilantism and violence towards foreign nationals, saying such actions “undermine the rule of law.”
He reiterated that employers who disregard immigration laws will face consequences.
“The Immigration Act prohibits anyone from employing illegal foreigners who are not documented. Employers who continue to employ people who are not documented are committing an offence. They can be fined and they can be put in prison,” he said.
Ramaphosa also noted that the Department of Labour has introduced the Employment Services Amendment Bill, which will impose quotas on the number of foreign nationals employers can hire. Joint inspections with Home Affairs are ongoing to enforce compliance.
“We want employers to make sure that they do not employ undocumented people,” Ramaphosa said. “They must make sure that they stick by the terms of our law. This is what will ensure that we create more employment for our people.”
He concluded by reaffirming that South Africa continues to welcome documented, skilled workers who contribute positively to the economy.
“We need their skills, their know-how, and the investment they bring into our country,” he said.
