Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Ramaphosa Unveils Plan as 40,000 Migrants Arrested, June 30 Deadline

6/18/2026

36 3 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

President Cyril Ramaphosa warned that no one may demand proof of nationality in public spaces and unveiled a five-point plan to curb illegal migration.
The migration task team said about 40,000 illegal immigrants have been arrested this year under Operation New Broom.
Anti-immigrant protests set a June 30 deadline for undocumented migrants to leave, prompting camps of thousands and repatriation flights organized by several African governments.

History

Historical Context

In 2015 the EU faced a surge of about 1.2 million asylum applications, prompting Frontex-led operations such as Triton and the later Sophia mission to tighten Mediterranean borders. Decades later, South Africa’s 2024 Operation New Broom, ordered by President Cyril Ramaphosa, adopted a similar hard-line approach, coordinating raids and repatriation flights to curb undocumented migration.

1 of 2

Story summary

President Cyril Ramaphosa warned that no one may demand proof of nationality in public spaces and unveiled a five-point plan to curb illegal migration.
The migration task team said about 40,000 illegal immigrants have been arrested this year under Operation New Broom.
Anti-immigrant protests set a June 30 deadline for undocumented migrants to leave, prompting camps of thousands and repatriation flights organized by several African governments.

1 / 2