South Africa’s immigration debate is heating up, with anti-immigration groups taking their grievances to the Department of Home Affairs, challenging everything from its new digital asylum system to its handling of the country’s refugee laws.
Members of Progressive Forces of South Africa, Thembelihle Residents Association and Radical People of South Africa gathered outside the department’s headquarters in Pretoria on Wednesday, under the United Civic Movement banner, demanding answers from government.
At the centre of their protest is Home Affairs’ newly developed online system, which allows asylum seekers to create profiles using biometric information.
Progressive Forces of South Africa argues that the system could open the door to criminal activity beyond South Africa’s borders, warning that the country’s immigration challenges could worsen.
The movement is also questioning what it describes as unlawful government instructions to the department, accusing the state of failing to demonstrate accountability.
Its members point to the department’s reported rejection of about one million asylum applications in 2015, demanding clarity on whether those whose applications were rejected were subsequently deported.
The organisation’s, Mthetho Ngcukaitobi, has rejected the digital system, calling for it to be scrapped.
Meanwhile, Thembelihle Residents Association has questioned government’s handling of the Constitutional Court’s Scalabrini judgment.
The ruling, delivered on 7 July 2026, declared several restrictive provisions of the Refugees Act unconstitutional and invalid.
The association is questioning Home Affairs’ decision not to appeal the judgment, arguing that the state missed an opportunity to challenge a ruling it believes could have far-reaching consequences for communities.
It says the department had 15 days to appeal and wants to know whether senior legal counsel was consulted and why the state did not seek a variation of the ruling.
The association further argues that community members should have been given an opportunity to testify about the perceived impact of illegal immigration on schools, hospitals, housing and employment.
Its Secretary-General, Mary Tati, says justice must hear both sides of the argument.
“The South African community whose rights are directly affected under section 10, 22, and 27 of the Constitution were not presented. We demand that in future litigation on immigration, the Home Affairs Department must consult and cite affected South African communities as interested parties,” Tati said.
The association wants a written response from Home Affairs within two weeks.
It is also demanding clarity on the country’s annual refugee intake limits, its capacity to accommodate asylum seekers and a comprehensive audit of the outcomes of the department’s 2015 asylum application backlog.
The association has also criticised the online application process, arguing that it places additional pressure on ordinary South Africans and taxpayers.
Adding its voice to the protest, Radical People of South Africa accuses Home Affairs of prioritising foreign nationals over South Africans.
The organisation has also condemned what it describes as the rejection of undocumented South Africans who allegedly lack relatives to verify their citizenship claims.
It says the introduction of the online asylum system raises further concerns, alleging that the process caters to foreign nationals while making it harder for protesters to voice their objections.
The organisation’s national chairperson, Rendani Ramashia, warns that continued disregard for the groups’ grievances could fuel serious tensions in the country.
The protesters eventually handed their memorandum of demands to Home Affairs Chief Director of Security Services, Simon Ratau.
However, Ratau did not provide a definitive timeframe for a response.
“The fact remains, you have submitted the memorandum. The memorandum has been received. It will be escalated to the minister and the answer will be given. The response will be given accordingly,” Ratau said.
The question is now whether Home Affairs will provide the answers they are seeking and whether its response its response will ease tensions in a debate that continues to put immigration, accountability and the rights of South Africans and asylum seekers under the spotlight.
Written by: Odirile Rabalao