By: Bright Ntuli
Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber has reiterated that foreign nationals must ensure they possess valid visas or other legal authorisation to remain in South Africa, as the government continues to enforce the country’s immigration laws.
His comments follow the repatriation of 586 Nigerian nationals who were found to be residing in South Africa illegally.
According to the Department of Home Affairs, all affected individuals were declared undesirable in terms of immigration legislation, resulting in a five-year ban on re-entering the country.
Schreiber said compliance with South Africa’s immigration laws is not optional and forms an important part of maintaining an effective and lawful immigration system. He stressed that the department remains committed to enforcing the law fairly and consistently.
The minister urged foreign nationals whose documentation may have expired or whose immigration status is not in order to take the necessary steps to regularise their stay in the country through the appropriate legal channels.
He warned that individuals found to be in violation of immigration laws could face detention, deportation and restrictions on future entry into South Africa.
Schreiber added that the department will continue working with law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders to strengthen immigration enforcement and ensure that all persons living in the country do so in accordance with the law.
