Parliament Presses Home Affairs to Fast-Track Migration Policy Reform Amid Rising Challenges

South Africa’s Parliament has turned up the pressure on the Department of Home Affairs (DHA), urging it to speed up long-awaited reforms to the country’s migration system. The Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs is calling for the finalisation of the Citizenship, Immigration and Refugee Protection White Paper to be moved forward by three years—from 2030 to 2027.

The demand comes amid growing concern over South Africa’s migration management, which Parliament says is lagging behind international standards and failing to adequately respond to domestic challenges.

“Migration challenges facing the country require urgent policy direction not only to close legislative gaps but also to ensure that South Africa is in line with international protocols and obligations,” said committee chairperson Mosa Chabane.

A Need for Urgency and Accountability

After receiving the department’s 2025–2030 strategic plan and its 2025/26 annual performance plan, the committee noted that while progress is being made, the pace is far too slow for the scale of the problem. The White Paper outlines a complete overhaul of the migration framework to address outdated legislation and bureaucratic inefficiencies, but delays in implementation have raised concern.

Chabane emphasized the need for real deadlines—not just ambitious visions.

“We want to see clear implementation timelines. Ambitious targets must be backed by realistic, time-bound plans,” he said.

Push for Digitisation and System Reforms

The committee commended efforts toward digital transformation, including plans for electronic visa systems and secure document delivery. However, members noted that digitisation efforts, started during the sixth administration, need a much firmer push.

Concerns were also raised over poor contract management, especially after the closure of DHA offices in Barberton due to the suspension of security services.

“While we acknowledge budget constraints, services cannot collapse due to a basic issue like security,” said Chabane.

System downtimes and the department’s heavy reliance on the underperforming State Information Technology Agency (SITA) were also criticised. The committee requested a detailed ICT upgrade project plan based on recommendations from the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).

Border Management Still Underfunded

The committee highlighted chronic underfunding of the Border Management Authority as a key threat to national security, warning that the continued delays are no longer tenable. Still, they welcomed new technologies like drones and body-worn cameras as potential tools to improve border control and reduce corruption.

{Source: IOL}

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