South Africa accelerates migration enforcement with new courts, repatriation measures amid tensions

JOHANNESBURG, July 4 — The South African government has moved to strengthen its migration policies as the country grapples with a crisis linked to anti-immigration violence, which has led to the repatriation of citizens from several African countries amid controversy.

To ease tensions following anti-immigration protests and related violence, President Cyril Ramaphosa unveiled a “comprehensive approach” to migration in early June.

Less than a month later, the government has begun rapidly operationalizing enforcement measures, activating specialized immigration courts and temporary repatriation facilities to accelerate deportation processes.