The Department of Home Affairs has welcomed the planned introduction of specialised immigration courts, saying the move will help reduce overcrowding at prisons and detention facilities while streamlining deportation processes.
President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the establishment of the courts on Sunday as part of a broader package of measures aimed at tackling illegal migration in South Africa.
Home Affairs Deputy Minister Njabulo Nzuza said the current legal process often results in undocumented foreign nationals being detained for extended periods at facilities such as the Lindela Repatriation Centre while awaiting court appearances and the completion of deportation procedures.
Nzuza explained that under existing legislation, individuals arrested for immigration-related offences must first appear before a magistrate's court before deportation proceedings can commence.
He said this process places a significant financial burden on the state, as detainees must be housed and maintained while moving through the legal system.
According to Nzuza, specialised immigration courts will help accelerate these procedures, reducing both the time required to finalise deportations and the costs associated with prolonged detention.
The deputy minister also welcomed the President's announcement that 10,000 additional labour inspectors would be appointed, describing the measure as an important step towards addressing illegal migration by reducing the demand for undocumented foreign labour.
He said Home Affairs was already conducting joint enforcement operations with the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the Department of Employment and Labour, adding that these efforts would be intensified through a more coordinated and institutionalised approach at district level.
Addressing concerns around identity document backlogs, Nzuza said the department currently has no outstanding backlog and has issued a record number of more than two million smart ID cards this year.
He confirmed that the green barcoded ID book will eventually be phased out, citing concerns over its vulnerability to fraud and manipulation.
Nzuza said the smart ID card provides significantly stronger security features, including biometric verification and facial recognition technology integrated into the department's systems.
He urged South Africans who still use green barcoded ID books to apply for smart ID cards, warning that the older documents will ultimately cease to be recognised as valid identification.
Meanwhile, Nzuza defended plans to relocate refugee reception centres to border posts, saying the move would allow asylum applications to be processed before individuals are permitted to enter and settle within the country.
He argued that many people presenting themselves as asylum seekers are in fact economic migrants and that processing applications at ports of entry would help distinguish between legitimate asylum claims and other forms of migration.
The proposed reforms form part of government's broader efforts to strengthen immigration management, improve border security and address growing concerns around illegal migration.