by Nikkie Aisha on Monday, 8 June 2026 – 8:14 am South African President Cyril Ramaphosa(left) and President William Ruto(right) during the two-day state visit in South Africa on June 4. PCS South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has unveiled sweeping immigration reforms that could affect thousands of Kenyans living, working or seeking opportunities in the country as authorities move to tighten border controls and crack down on undocumented migrants. The reforms come amid growing pressure from sections of the South African public, who argue that illegal immigration is contributing to the country’s high unemployment rate and placing additional strain on public services including health and education. In an address to the nation on June 7, Ramaphosa said the measures are intended to ensure that everyone entering South Africa does so legally and that immigration laws are enforced consistently across the country. “Every sovereign nation has a responsibility to know who enters its territory, why they are entering and how long they are permitted to stay. Secure borders are not a sign of hostility towards other countries, they are a fundamental requirement of a sovereign and well-governed state. Accordingly, we are taking further measures to secure our borders,” he said. Kenyan High Commission in South Africa. Photo Kenyan High Commission Under the reforms, repeat offenders found employing undocumented migrants could face tougher penalties, including possible jail terms. Authorities will also increase workplace inspections, particularly in sectors such as transport and logistics, with Ramaphosa announcing that the government has begun recruiting 10,000 inspectors to strengthen enforcement efforts. Another key change is the planned phased replacement of South Africa’s paper-based green book identity documents with more secure biometric digital ID cards for both citizens and legally documented migrants. Additionally, the South African government announced plans to increase investment in border infrastructure, surveillance technology and personnel to strengthen monitoring at entry points and curb illegal migration. Other measures include relocating refugee reception centres closer to border posts and introducing a biometric-based Intelligent Population Register aimed at reducing identity fraud and improving immigration management. Further, Ramaphosa said the government would establish dedicated courts to handle immigration-related cases more quickly and reduce case backlogs. The reforms also include intensified anti-corruption operations targeting immigration officials accused of selling documents, facilitating illegal entry and engaging in fraudulent activities within the immigration system. The announcement comes against the backdrop of anti-immigration protests in parts of South Africa, some of which have turned violent and heightened concerns among foreign nationals. Several countries, including Ghana, Nigeria, Malawi and Mozambique, have since moved to repatriate citizens affected by the unrest. In May, the Kenya High Commission in Pretoria advised Kenyans living in South Africa to remain vigilant following demonstrations and isolated incidents targeting foreign nationals. Ramaphosa, however, argued that migrants were often unfairly blamed for challenges linked to poverty and unemployment, noting that the root issues stem from structural weaknesses in the immigration system that the reforms aim to address. Kenyans queueing for government services at Nyayo House in Nairobi. Photo Immigration Department . . Latest News Duale, Ogamba, Joho Announce Key State Board Appointments Mon, 8 Jun 2026 – 9:47 am KNUT Addresses Calls to Review Second Term Calendar Amid Unrest Mon, 8 Jun 2026 – 8:53 am UDA MP Sends Demand to DCI After Machakos Mob Justice Incident Mon, 8 Jun 2026 – 8:44 am Kenyans in South Africa on Alert as Govt Launches Fresh Immigration Crackdown Mon, 8 Jun 2026 – 8:14 am Chaos as KDF Impostor is Arrested with Gun at Football