The increased number of arrests of illegal immigrants would have resulted in releases if the deportations were not implemented.
Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi says they are struggling to recoup the cost incurred in returning illegal immigrants to their countries.

The government has spent more than R20 million on deporting illegal immigrants this year and recouping the costs incurred in returning illegal immigrants to their home countries have become near impossible.

Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi revealed this in response to a written parliamentary question from DA MP Joe McGluwa.McGluwa wanted details on the reasons for the overspending on immigration and deportation-related issues in the 2019/20 financial year.`What are the costs incurred by his department on the deportation of immigrants in the specified financial year? Whether any monies have been recouped from the countries of the deported immigrants; if not, what is the
position in this regard and if so, what are the relevant details?` McGluwa`s questions read.

Motsoaledi`s reply read: `The increased number of arrests of illegal immigrants would have resulted in releases if the deportations were not implemented. The deportations costs incurred by the department was R23 329
354.82 in [the] 2019/20 financial year.`

Asked about recouping funds from other countries, he said the country`s policy position of recouping the costs incurred in returning illegal immigrants to their countries of origin is the subject of ongoing bilateral discussions.
`All countries have to date indicated a lack of funds in relation to this. In the Southern African Development Community [SADC] and South America, consular services in foreign missions such as Zimbabwe, Mozambique,
Brazil and Venezuela are actively involved in assisting the

deportees to source funds for self-payment from their relations. The assistance also extends to the purchase of bus and flight tickets by the consular officers.`
Self-deportation costs by foreign nationals were R5 634 165.20, Motsoaledi added.

Recently, the department has been dealing with several foreign issues.
During his budget mini-plenary, he announced a home affairs official based in Windhoek had been fired after being caught allegedly fraudulently issuing visas to Pakistani and Bangladeshi citizens.

The department revoked 100 visas after the secretary for civics and immigration services based in South Africa`s mission in Windhoek was busted for allegedly selling the visas to non-qualifying citizens.
Motsoaledi said the scheme was simple and fraudsters did not even have to travel to Namibia to get these documents. It was couriered to them and `delivered on a silver platter`.He described the incident as high-treason and accused the official of selling the country to the highest bidder.

Motsoaledi is not the only minister who has had to deal with issues affecting immigrants and foreign nationals.Social Development Minister Lindiwe Zulu announced last month the government had allocated an extra R6 billion to fund the R350 special Covid-19 grant for those without an income as well as asylum seekers and special permit holders.

The North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria granted a court order that permit holders and asylum seekers should be included in the grant.
Zulu said the department had amended the directives to accommodate asylum seekers and special permit holders from Angola, Lesotho and Zimbabwe, as directed by the court.
www.samigration.com V.3174

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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