South Africa intensifies immigration enforcement and biometric controls

South Africa is implementing stricter immigration enforcement and digital border management through various initiatives. Under ‘Operation New Broom,’ the Department of Home Affairs conducted raids in the Mayfair district of Johannesburg, detaining hundreds of undocumented foreign nationals and targeting business owners for employing unauthorized labor. Officials utilized biometric verification technology during these operations to identify forged permits and expedite deportation proceedings.

In response to a Constitutional Court ruling regarding asylum access, the government is preparing to introduce an online registration and appointment system for asylum applicants by November 2026. This plan includes collecting biometric and identity information to prevent duplicate registrations and improve case tracking.

Additionally, the government is developing electronic border-management systems to digitally capture traveler identities and visa information. Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi has also proposed stricter SIM card registration rules for foreign nationals, which may include requiring passports to maintain identity traceability and combat identity fraud.