South Africa: South Africa Needs Smarter Visas, Not Just Harder Borders

What the report says

AllAfrica republished an Institute for Security Studies analysis by Aimée-Noël Mbiyozo arguing that South Africa should respond to irregular migration with more flexible visa options rather than relying mainly on tougher border controls and removals. The article, dated 22 July 2026, says many people described as undocumented entered South Africa legally from neighbouring countries with passports, but later overstayed or worked outside the terms of their admission.

The analysis cites South Africa’s 2022 census as showing 2.4 million migrants in the country, with 83.5% from neighbouring or other Southern African Development Community states. Zimbabwe accounted for the largest share, followed by Mozambique, Lesotho and Malawi. It notes that citizens of 22 African countries, including neighbouring states, can enter South Africa without visas for limited stays, meaning stronger border security alone would not address overstaying.

According to the article, the Department of Home Affairs has advanced a R12.5 billion public-private project to modernise six land border posts by 2030, while President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced measures to strengthen enforcement and migration controls. The ISS analysis also reports expanded immigration enforcement, dedicated immigration courts, and large-scale processing for deportation or repatriation, including at a temporary centre near Musina close to the Zimbabwe border.

The piece says civil society groups have raised concerns about the Musina facility and possible movement toward border-based camps, while the department describes its approach as firm and humane. The analysis concludes that regularisation measures, special permits or quota-based pathways could reduce irregular status at lower cost, support regional trade and integration, and allow state resources to focus on serious security threats.