Cabinet Adopts Comprehensive Migration Management Approach

Posted 07 June 2026 Written by Acts Online
Category Immigration

Brought to you by SAnews: Cabinet has adopted the Comprehensive Approach for Migration Management, a multi-agency strategy designed to reform border control, tighten immigration and labour law compliance, and phase out legacy identification systems.

The framework, endorsed by the President’s Coordinating Council, seeks to address systemic vulnerabilities in the administration of the Immigration Act, No. 13 of 2002. The strategy coordinates enforcement actions across the Department of Home Affairs, the Border Management Authority (BMA), the Department of Employment and Labour, and the South African Police Service (SAPS) to target non-compliance in workplaces and at border entries.

Key Regulatory and Operational Changes

The implementation of the comprehensive plan introduces several structural changes to the regulatory landscape:

  • Dedicated Immigration Courts: Specialised courts will be established to fast-track immigration-related prosecutions and expedite deportation orders.
  • Refugee Reception Relocation: Refugee reception centres will undergo a phased relocation to land border posts, beginning with the Tshwane centre.
  • Decommissioning of Green ID Books: The Department of Home Affairs will introduce an Intelligent Population Register to support Digital IDs. A formal deadline will be gazetted after which green barcoded identity books will no longer be legally recognised.
  • Traffic Registration Number (TRN) Reform: To prevent the abuse of TRNs as informal identification documents, the Department of Transport is mandated to publish new regulations within three months to align vehicle registration requirements with national identification laws.

What this means for you, your business, or your clients

  • For yourself: Professional practitioners holding legacy green barcoded identity documents should proactively apply for smart ID cards ahead of the upcoming decommissioning date to avoid potential disruptions in identity verification services.
  • For your business: Firms must immediately audit their employment registries to ensure all foreign national employees possess valid work visas under the Immigration Act, No. 13 of 2002, as workplace inspections and audits are being intensified.
  • For your clients: Clients in the logistics, automotive, or fleet management sectors utilizing Traffic Registration Numbers (TRNs) for vehicle registration must prepare for new Department of Transport compliance requirements expected within the next three months.

Originally published at https://www.sanews.gov.za/south-africa/government-unveils-comprehensive-plan-tackle-illegal-immigration

The views expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Acts Online. Acts Online accepts no responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or fairness of the article, nor does the information contained herein constitute advice, legal or otherwise.