Please scroll down for the Afrikaans version of the statement.
Please find attached a soundbite by Adrian Roos MP.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) welcomes the dramatic increase in internal immigration enforcement operations reported in the fourth quarter of the 2024/25 financial year under the leadership of Home Affairs Minister Dr Leon Schreiber.
In response to a parliamentary question submitted by the DA, Home Affairs revealed that immigration enforcement operations surged from 383 in Q4 of 2023/24 to 1,415 in Q4 of 2024/25. This nearly fourfold increase included extensive interventions to uphold the rule of law, dealing with zama zamas and food-borne diseases in spaza shops amongst other key issues.
This increase in internal enforcement follows a 215% increase in the successful prevention of illegal border crossings during 2024/2025 festive season and a 61% increase in border interceptions over the recent easter weekend.
This is a welcome development as we move towards an immigration system based on opportunity and not fear. Consistent and targeted immigration enforcement is vital to restoring public trust, protecting vulnerable communities from exploitation, and laying the groundwork for a functional and fair immigration system. However, the reality is that the task is enormous due to years of underinvestment in immigration enforcement.
The Border Management Authority has submitted an extensive business case to National Treasury for the R4,5 billion funding shortfall needed to support increased, modern immigration systems, robust status verification, and efficient visa processing.
The DA will continue to monitor the implementation of immigration enforcement efforts while advocating for a balanced, well-funded immigration system that enforces the rule of law, grows the economy, and creates jobs.
DA verwelkom oplewing in immigrasie-toepassing
Vind asseblief aangeheg ‘n klankgreep deur Adrian Roos LP.
Die Demokratiese Alliansie (DA) verwelkom die dramatiese toename in interne immigrasie-toepassingsoperasies wat in die vierde kwartaal van die 2024/25-boekjaar onder leiding van minister van binnelandse sake Dr Leon Schreiber aangemeld is.
In antwoord op ‘n parlementêre vraag wat deur die DA ingedien is, het Binnelandse Sake onthul dat immigrasie-toepassingsoperasies van 383 in Kwartaal 4 van 2023/24 tot 1 415 in Kwartaal 4 van 2024/25 gestyg het. Hierdie byna viervoudige toename het uitgebreide ingrypings ingesluit om die oppergesag van die reg te handhaaf, onder meer die hantering van zama zamas en voedselgedraagde siektes in spaza-winkels.
Hierdie toename in interne toepassing volg op ‘n toename van 215% in die suksesvolle voorkoming van onwettige grensoorgange gedurende 2024/2025-feesseisoen en ‘n toename van 61% in grensonderskeppings oor die afgelope Paasnaweek.
Dit is ‘n welkome ontwikkeling namate ons beweeg na ‘n immigrasiestelsel gebaseer op geleenthede en nie vrees nie. Konsekwente en geteikende immigrasie-toepassing is noodsaaklik om publieke vertroue te herstel, kwesbare gemeenskappe teen uitbuiting te beskerm en die grondslag te lê vir ‘n funksionele en regverdige immigrasiestelsel. Die realiteit is egter dat die taak enorm is weens jare se onderinvestering in immigrasie-toepassing.
Die Grensbestuursowerheid het ‘n uitgebreide sakesaak by die Nasionale Tesourie ingedien vir die R4,5 miljard-befondsingstekort wat nodig is om verhoogde, moderne immigrasiestelsels, robuuste statusverifikasie en doeltreffende visumverwerking te ondersteun.
Die DA sal voortgaan om die implementering van immigrasie-toepassingspogings te monitor terwyl ons pleit vir ‘n gebalanseerde, goed-befondsde immigrasiestelsel wat die oppergesag van die reg afdwing, die ekonomie laat groei en werk skep.