Story perspectives

Ramaphosa Unveils Tough Immigration Overhaul, Adds Inspectors

6/8/2026

Summary

Ramaphosa Overhauls Immigration

President Cyril Ramaphosa announced sweeping immigration reforms on 7 June 2026.
The reforms create courts, criminalize hiring undocumented workers, and add 10,000 labour inspectors.
Refugee centres will move to border posts starting with Tshwane, including the launch of a biometric Intelligent Population Register.
The Border Management Authority stopped over 450,000 illegal entrants in the past year.
The government reported deporting 100,000 migrants in two years.

Summary

Ghana Files Petition

Five Mozambican nationals were killed in xenophobic attacks linked to anti-immigrant protests.
Ghana, Nigeria, Malawi and Mozambique have started repatriating citizens affected by the unrest.
Minister Samuel Okudjeto Ablakwa filed a petition with the African Union condemning South Africa’s treatment of Ghanaians.
Ghana is creating an inventory of assets lost by its nationals in South Africa for future legal claims.
Regional partners say the violence damages South Africa’s international reputation.

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Ramaphosa Overhauls Immigration

President Cyril Ramaphosa announced sweeping immigration reforms on 7 June 2026.
The reforms create courts, criminalize hiring undocumented workers, and add 10,000 labour inspectors.
Refugee centres will move to border posts starting with Tshwane, including the launch of a biometric Intelligent Population Register.
The Border Management Authority stopped over 450,000 illegal entrants in the past year.
The government reported deporting 100,000 migrants in two years.

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