Motsoaledi revealed this in a written response to a parliamentary
question from IFP MP Liezl van der Merve.
Van der Merve had wanted to know if Motsoaledi had been informed
that persons were passing through the Beitbridge border post on a
daily basis for shopping and other non-essential travel during the
lockdown.
She also asked if the department has found an increase in the
number of undocumented migrants entering the country, a move
directly related to the Beitbridge border fence being compromised.
In his response, Motsoaledi said no person was allowed entry or
departure which did not relate to essential services.
He confirmed the number of arrests by the South African National
Defence Force was increasing. `In April 2020, 22 undocumented
foreigners were arrested and by May 2020, the number of arrests
has increased to 357 undocumented nationals. `The department is
finalising deportation processes in this regard,` Motsoaledi said.
The minister would not be drawn into commenting on the fencing of
the border post which was underway.
Van der Merve had asked whether the department had found the 40
kilometre border fence adequate to help it to enforce the laws
regulating entry into the country.
`The Department of Home Affairs was not involved in the
procurement of the border fence and a response should be requested
from DPWI (Department of Public Works and Infrastructure),`
Motsoaledi said.
The R37m tender

for fence the border post raised eyebrows
recently. This after the newly erected fence was damaged, and
large holes had been cut into the multi-layered razor wire fence.
The awarding of the tender is subject of a probe by the Special
Investigating Unit.
The minister also revealed that there were no temporary asylum-
seeker permits that have been automatically renewed since the
national state of disaster was declared. He, however, said there
were 118 842 asylum seekers with a permit expiry date after May
4.
`As at 31 March 2020 there were 80 758 refugees with active
section 24 certificates recorded on the National Immigration
Information System,` Motsoaledi said.
Responding to EFF MP Lorato Tito, the minister said if there were
new applicants who have entered the country as lockdown was
declared, they would receive assistance in the communities where
they reside.
`It should be noted that the republic has not abdicated its
international obligations, especially to those who will declare
their intention to apply for asylum.
`The principle of non-refoulment is fully applicable even under
these circumstances we currently face and therefore Immigration
Officials are expected to assist such persons should they
encounter them during law enforcement operations,` Motsoaledi
said.
www.samigration.com V.3074

One of the highlighted topics: Critical Skills Visa.

- Key Insight: Is your profession on the Critical Skills List? This visa is your fast track to working in South Afr...
- This matter relates to critical skills visa and its broader implications.
- Individuals are advised to seek professional guidance.

Is your profession on the Critical Skills List? This visa is your fast trac V.6139
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One of the applicants, Phindile Mazibuko, became a victim of identity theft in 2012 when fraudulent transactions occurred, using her personal details.

-The Pretoria High Court found that the department of home affairs had violated constitutional rights without due process.
-Only half of Lawyers for Human Rights` test group has been unblocked, while 385 000 identities remain blocked nationwide.
-LHR appeals extension, urges affected people to seek help now.

Lawyers for Human Rights (LHR) are intensifying pressure on the department of home affairs over the national ID-blocking crisis, accusing the state of acting too slowly to unblock qualifying individuals despite a landmark court ruling.

In January last year, the Pretoria High Court found that the department`s practice of blocking IDs without due process was unlawful and unconstitutional. One of the applicants, Phindile Mazibuko, a Swati citizen and South African permanent resident since 1998, fell victim to identity theft in 2012 when fraudsters used her personal details.

 V.6133
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The Border Management Authority (BMA) has doubled its staff at Airports in South Africa , including immigration officers.

What does this mean for travelers? V.6128
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The Border Management Authority (BMA) has doubled its staff at Airports in South Africa , including immigration officers.

What does this mean for travelers? V.6129
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A Washington state mother and her 6-year-old son have been released after spending more than three weeks in US immigration detention due to a brief trip to Canada and a small paperwork mistake, her attorney told CNN on Saturday.

Sarah Shaw, a New Zealand citizen who has lived legally in the US since she arrived in 2021, was detained at the Blaine, Washington, Customs and Border Protection checkpoint when returning home after dropping her two oldest children off at the Vancouver airport for a flight to visit their grandparents in New Zealand. Shaw, 33, chose the flight out of Vancouver because it was direct and she didn`t want her children to have to navigate a layover alone, her attorney Minda Thorward, told CNN.

 V.6130
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On 22 July 2025, the Gauteng High Court dismissed Sitrusrand Boerdery`s review of the Department of Employment and Labour`s refusal to issue a Working Conditions and Salary Benchmarking Certificate, an essential precondition for obtaining corporate visas under the Immigration Act.

Acting Judge Kekana AJ held that the Department`s decision was lawful, rational and procedurally fair. This judgment illustrates how businesses can - and must - structure their corporate visa applications to meet statutory requirements, and how legal practitioners should prepare robust review challenges when administrative authorities decline to recommend foreign-work permits.

 V.6131
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The United States could forfeit an estimated 9.4 billion dollars in visitor spending over the next three years following the introduction of a new 250 dollars `visa integrity fee,` according to industry groups, who warn the policy risks undermining tourism and costing thousands of jobs.
The United States’ decision to introduce a 250 dollars `visa integrity fee` on international visitors has triggered sharp criticism from the global tourism industry, with officials warning that the measure could deter millions of travellers and cost the U.S. economy billions.
The 250dollar `visa integrity fee,` part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act signed on July 4, 2025, will take effect later this year. According to immigration law firm Envoy Global, it applies to all nonimmigrant visa holders which include students, tourists, temporary workers, and business visitors particularly from African countries. V.6132
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The Border Management Authority (BMA) has doubled its staff at Airports in South Africa , including immigration officers.

What does this mean for travelers? V.6127
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1. Right to Legal Representation•You have the right to consult with a legal representative.•Contact an immigration practitioner, legal aid clinic, or attorney urgently.•Do not sign any documents without understanding them fully. 2. Section 34 of the Immigration Act•You must be brought to court with 48 hours to confirm arrest but you can remain locked up very long as courts figure out what to do with you •If you`re found to be illegally in South Africa, you may be detained for up to 30 days (extendable by a magistrate) pending deportation.•BUT this cannot happen arbitrarily. You must be informed of your rights, and Home Affairs must follow due process.- becomes a nightmare , you could lose your job , business , place to stay V.6121
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Driving for Bolt, Uber, Mr D, or Checkers Sixty60?If you`re undocumented, you`re risking more than just your income.The Risks if You`re Not Legal: - Vehicle impoundment - Heavy fines - Arrest & deportation - Permanent bans from working in SA V.6122
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