Deportation surge reveals systemic crisis, FOSA claims

Share the Article:

The Forum for South Africa (FOSA) says it has noted the announcement of the deportation of over 110,000 illegal immigrants by the Department of Home Affairs in the past two financial years.

The forum stated that it rejects the characterization of presented figures as a success, asserting that these numbers do not signify victory but highlight a failed border management system in South Africa.

National leader Tebogo Mashilompane stated that a 46% surge in deportations does not reflect strength; it reflects a government that has allowed illegal immigration to escalate to crisis levels before reacting.

Adding that deporting more individuals annually indicates a significant influx of people entering South Africa unlawfully.

“This situation has led to various adverse consequences for South Africans, including an overburdened public healthcare system and education facilities, rising pressure on housing and basic services, and an escalating community frustration associated with undocumented migration.

Deportations a reactive measure

“FOSA highlights that deportations serve merely as a reactive measure to manage the fallout from these issues, rather than addressing the root causes of the problem.

Mashilompane emphasized that technological initiatives like “Operation New Broom,” along with biometric systems, drones, and body cameras, will prove ineffective unless the corruption present within Home Affairs and law enforcement is addressed.

He asserted that technology cannot fix a fundamentally corrupt system and urged immediate action on immigration in South Africa, including militarizing borders, auditing undocumented foreign nationals, and enforcing a zero-tolerance policy on corruption.

ALSO READ | Significant increase in deportations: 109K+ removed in last two fiscal years

Mashilompane added, “We want to stress the importance of transparency in enforcement outcomes and caution against relying solely on deportation as a solution to the crisis.

What the country needs now is firm leadership, uncompromising enforcement, and a government willing to put South Africans first, not a reliance on numbers designed to mask failure.”