President Cyril Ramaphosa says well-managed and properly regulated migration can contribute to economic growth and create opportunities for all, but warned that illegal immigration continues to place significant strain on the country's resources and public services.
Speaking on the issue of migration, Ramaphosa said South Africa must address the challenges posed by undocumented migration as part of efforts to build a safer, more stable and prosperous society.
He said illegal immigration places pressure on healthcare, education and other public services, while also undermining the state's ability to manage resources effectively. As a result, government is strengthening border management and law enforcement measures to curb violations of immigration laws.
"As we work to build a safer, more stable and more prosperous society, we need to address the challenge of migration," Ramaphosa said.
The President added that government is taking decisive steps to tackle the issue, including intensifying efforts to crack down on those who violate the country's immigration regulations.
Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Employment and Labour Jomo Sibiya says proposed legislative changes currently before Parliament will play a key role in addressing the problem.
The Employment Services Amendment Bill seeks to strengthen the regulation of foreign national employment in South Africa by amending the Employment Services Act of 2014. The proposed legislation aims to prevent worker exploitation while promoting employment opportunities for South African citizens.
Sibiya said the Bill has already undergone legal scrutiny and is now awaiting completion of the parliamentary process before it can be enacted.
"It has gone past legal scrutiny and it is Parliament's process that will determine how soon we can start," he said.
According to Sibiya, the legislation will introduce significant changes for employers. Currently, businesses found employing undocumented foreign nationals can only be fined by labour authorities. However, once the Bill becomes law, employers could face criminal prosecution for violating the regulations.
The proposed changes come amid growing concerns from organisations such as March and March, which claim that undocumented foreign nationals are taking jobs that could otherwise be filled by South Africans.
Sibiya, however, argues that responsibility lies primarily with employers who create demand for undocumented labour.
"Employers are the ones creating demand for illegal immigrants who are working in our country," he said.
"If we deal with the employers, it means we will stop the demand."
He added that the department will have stronger enforcement powers once the legislation is enacted, making it more difficult for non-compliant businesses to continue operating outside the law.
The Bill is expected to form part of government's broader strategy to strengthen immigration management, protect workers and ensure greater compliance with labour and employment laws.