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South Africa Proposes Radical Changes to Immigration System

In the recently published White Paper On Citizenship, Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi said that the legislation contains radical proposals aimed at overhauling the migration system in South Africa.

Motsoaledi added that South Africa should temporarily withdraw from the United Nations Refugee Convention and associated protocols because courts hold legal theory adverse to state interests.

"It is not surprising that South African courts developed jurisprudence regarding asylum and refugees in the absence of reservations and exceptions ... which is always unfavourable to the interests of the state," Motsoaledi said at a briefing regarding the white paper.

The move comes after Motsoaledi's protracted battle to terminate the Zimbabwe Exemption Permit programme (ZEP), a legal saga that most recently saw Pretoria High Court confirm the protection of ZEP holders until June 2024.

South Africa: When It Comes to Immigration, Honestly, We Can Do This

Daily Maverick, 13 November 2023

It's difficult to distinguish between a political refugee and an economic refugee and, in the modern era, this distinction is critical. Read more »
South Africa: White Paper Set to Overhaul Migration System, Says Home Affairs Minister

SAnews.gov.za, 12 November 2023

Home Affairs Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi says the recently published White Paper On Citizenship, Immigration and Refugee Protection contains radical proposals that are aimed at… Read more »
South Africa: Motsoaledi Proposes Temporary Exit From UN Refugee Convention and Overhaul of Immigration Regimen

Daily Maverick, 12 November 2023

South Africa should withdraw from the United Nations refugee protection regimen -- and re-enter with exceptions on refugee rights. That's because courts have established… Read more »