Home Affairs expands deportations, targets corruption

Delivering the department’s budget speech, Schreiber said deportations had increased by 46% under the current administration, while immigration enforcement operations conducted over the last financial year exceeded those carried out in the previous five years combined.

Our commitment is to the rule of law: consequences for transgressors and upholding rights of lawful migrants. Over the past 2 years, we increased deportations by 46%. This year, we did 10 700 operations – over double the target and more than the previous 5-year term combined 🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/9jk8Fz9BfD

— Leon Schreiber (@Leon_Schreib) May 22, 2026

His comments come amid heightened public debate around illegal immigration and a rise in anti-immigrant protests across parts of the country.

Schreiber defended the government’s approach, saying authorities were committed to enforcing immigration laws while safeguarding the rights of people legally living in South Africa.

“If you are upset about illegal immigration because it undermines the rule of law, then you cannot turn around and undermine the rule of law yourself,” he said, cautioning against vigilantism and racial profiling.

The minister said Home Affairs was implementing a digital immigration system that uses biometric verification, facial recognition and machine-learning technology to identify undocumented migrants and detect fraudulent documents.

He also welcomed a recent Constitutional Court ruling barring rejected asylum seekers from repeatedly lodging fresh applications to delay deportation, saying the judgment would help reduce backlogs and speed up removals.

Addressing concerns about corruption, Schreiber said officials linked to fraud within Home Affairs and the Border Management Authority were being arrested, dismissed and prosecuted.

“We use technology to solve these issues,” he said.