The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, stated that South Africa is unable to handle the issue of irregular migration alone and called on African countries for joint action to address the root causes of this phenomenon.
The question was raised against the backdrop of preparations for National Action Day on March 30th, which mandates the deportation of all illegally present migrants in the country. Previously, the Department of Home Affairs had already repatriated 89,936 people and deported 9,997 following protests held on June 30th.
Lamola emphasized that the government condemns vigilantism, noting that 354 people were arrested for anti-migrant violence. Of these, 103 cases (related to anti-migrant violence, intimidation, and robbery) are in court, and 43 are under investigation.
He explained that the South African government has developed a plan to prevent situations where people take the law into their own hands to ensure compliance with the law. Lamola clarified that such actions are the initiative of individual citizens, not state-sponsored activities.
Despite irregular migration being a reality for South Africa as a major destination for economic migrants, Lamola insisted that solving this problem is solely the responsibility of the government, not private individuals. He also stated that the South African government considers irregular migration a common problem.
During the forum, Lamola highlighted to participants that they are aware of what is happening in their countries and are obliged to address the root causes of irregular migration, including factors such as democratic deficits, economic growth, and job creation. He noted that when the South African economy faces difficulties, competition for limited resources naturally arises, which is occurring in the country.
Political analyst Professor Sifo Sipe agreed with Lamola's position on the rule of law but added that the minister and South Africa need to acknowledge their failure in securing borders. Sipe explained that uncontrolled immigration is a continental responsibility because people are fleeing their countries.
International relations and political analyst Gideon Chitanga noted that the question raised by the audience brings up legitimate concerns regarding South Africa's commitment to Pan-African solidarity and cooperation. He believes that not only does the minister need to emphasize this on the international stage, but there also needs to be a comprehensive internal process of engagement that examines the interconnected causes of the problem from a legal and immigration management perspective. Such a proactive approach aimed at creating fair conditions for legally entering or residing people would likely change the discourse and create conditions for a long-term solution to the problem.
According to an investigation by the consortium of journalists Forbidden Stories, Donald Trump's administration began conducting secret deportations from the United States in January 2025 of over 25 thousand migrants to countries with which these individuals had no prior ties.
According to data from Refugees International and Human Rights First, approximately 20 thousand people were transported by bus to Mexico. Additionally, more than 5 thousand people were sent by air transport to countries in Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, and Central Asia. Often, the deported individuals from these third countries were returned to their home countries, where they faced danger to life or freedom.
The authors of this investigation state that the US has concluded unofficial agreements to accept deported migrants with at least 35 states; Russia and Ukraine are not included in this list. Currently, 28 countries have accepted people under these agreements, and another 7 countries have promised to accept them in the future.
Specifically regarding citizens of Uzbekistan, information from Forbidden Stories indicates that they were deported from the US to four countries: Moldova, Costa Rica, Panama, and the Central African Republic. Throughout 2025, special flights carrying citizens of Uzbekistan departed from the United States. In August, 18 citizens of Uzbekistan arrived in Tashkent International Airport via a special charter flight. Earlier, on the morning of June 11, another charter flight arrived from the US with 24 citizens of Uzbekistan, and even earlier, 26 citizens of Uzbekistan returned from the US via a charter flight.
New warning signs have been installed at the entrances to Sandy Bay, prohibiting nudity and warning of fines. These signs are located on the beach in Cape Town, which has long been used by naturalists.
The signs also prohibit sexually inappropriate behavior and contain a warning about penalties. Thus, the signs, which SANParks stated were under legal review since March, have come into effect.
The installation of these signs is taking place ahead of planned joint security operations in the Sandy Bay area as summer approaches.
The Community Crime Prevention organization reported that over the past year it has collaborated with SANParks, SAPS, City Law Enforcement, Metro Police, and private security structures due to safety concerns in the area.
Funding for the signs was provided by CID Llandudno and residents of Kronenzicht. The signs state that 'nudity and/or sexually inappropriate behavior' are prohibited on the beach and pedestrian paths, and violators may be fined. It is also noted that the area is monitored, including the use of drones.
SANParks previously stated that the beach had never been officially recognized as a nudist spot. As early as this March, the organization emphasized that Sandy Bay is part of Table Mountain National Park and 'is not and has never been officially designated as a nudist beach.' Furthermore, it was stated that swimming nude is not permitted.
At the time, SANParks reported that the new signs were undergoing legal scrutiny. However, these signs have provoked a reaction from naturalists, who argue that nudity should not be considered in the same context as sexually inappropriate behavior.
Naturalists' lawyer Martinius Pretorius told CapeTalk that the South African Association of Naturalists and the Western Cape Naturalists Association are preparing official correspondence to SANParks, the City of Cape Town, and CapeNature regarding these signs.
Pretorius stated: 'We are not asking SANParks to do nothing. We are asking them to explain their legal position and talk to us before they start enforcing the rules.' He added that naturalists support measures against sexually inappropriate behavior, harassment, and crime in Sandy Bay but demand clarity regarding the legal status of nudity.
Despite its long association with nude bathing, Sandy Bay has never held official status as a naturalist beach. Previously, a publication about Cape Town beaches described Sandy Bay as Cape Town's 'unofficial nude beach.'
The Spanish Embassy in Morocco, through an online campaign, reports that illegal entry into Spain via Ceuta and Melilla does not guarantee the right to access the Iberian Peninsula, stay in Spain, or free movement throughout the rest of the European Union.
The campaign warns: 'Do not succumb to misleading information. A recent Supreme Court ruling clarifies the procedure for those entering by sea. It does not change the Immigration Law, nor does it declare border rejections as illegal status or impede return.'
The Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs, the European Union and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares, also stated that his ministry has activated 'preventive mechanisms' to combat calls spread on social media.
This initiative coincides with calls on social media regarding a new illegal crossing into Ceuta on the 23rd, which is timed with legislative elections in Morocco.
Social media played a key role in the migration crisis at the end of July in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, located in North Africa, when over 70,000 people illegally entered European territory via Morocco.
Although most illegal migrants returned to Morocco, several thousand, mostly young people, remain in the Spanish city.
This crisis, which caused serious tension in relations between Madrid and Rabat, resulted in the deaths of at least 140 people, according to civil society organizations.
During the weekend, images of hundreds of migrants, most from Sub-Saharan Africa, who were near the border with Ceuta circulated on social media.
The crisis provoked significant instability in the region, as Ceuta has a population of only about 80,000, and also in Europe, where many countries advocate for suspending the Schengen area's free movement agreement with Spain.
In Morocco, which is accused of using migration as a tool for destabilization, the institutional and political response was limited; authorities delayed issuing a statement denying any responsibility for four days.
This is not the first instance where illegal migration into Ceuta has caused a crisis between Madrid and Rabat. In 2021, about 10,000 people illegally crossed the border into the Spanish city. At that time, Morocco linked the tension to Spain's decision to allow Brahim Ghali, leader of the Polisario Front, to receive treatment in Spain after contracting COVID-19.
