South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs is operating under extreme strain, with only 832 immigration inspectors responsible for processing tens of thousands of cases nationwide, Minister Leon Schreiber has openly acknowledged.
South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs is struggling with serious capacity limitations, Minister Leon Schreiber has admitted during a recent media briefing. With just 832 immigration inspectors across the entire country, the department is managing more than 40,000 cases since the beginning of 2026.
Schreiber described the workload as highly demanding, noting that each case often requires detailed biometric verification, thorough document checks, interviews, and cross-referencing with multiple databases. Some processes still rely on outdated paper-based systems, making the work even more labour-intensive.
A Clear Example of the Strain
The minister pointed to the ongoing large-scale verification operation in Durban involving around 7,000 Malawians as a stark illustration. In that single location, Home Affairs has deployed 56 officials working around the clock to complete the necessary checks.
While the department works with the South African Police Service and the Department of Employment and Labour as additional support, the core team of inspectors remains very small relative to the volume of work.
Technology as the Way Forward
Schreiber expressed hope that technology, particularly advanced biometric systems and digital verification tools, could help reduce the pressure on staff and speed up processes in the near future. However, he was frank about current limitations, including the continued reliance on manual checks and paper records.
Broader Immigration Enforcement Context
The minister’s comments come at a time of intense public focus on illegal immigration, fraudulent visas, and border management. The department has recently cancelled over 2,000 fraudulent study visas and reported a significant increase in deportations compared to previous years.
Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi, who chairs the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Migration, has also urged all undocumented foreigners to comply with South African laws or face repatriation. She emphasised that law enforcement operations have resulted in more than 40,000 arrests since January.
Message to Employers and Citizens
Kubayi warned employers against hiring undocumented foreigners, stressing that doing so violates both immigration and labour laws. She also made it clear that ordinary citizens should not take it upon themselves to conduct identity checks or enforcement actions — that responsibility lies with law enforcement only.
The government has rejected unofficial deadlines set by groups like March and March, insisting that all immigration matters must be handled through lawful and constitutional processes.
Public Reaction
The minister’s frank admission about capacity constraints has sparked lively debate on social media. Many South Africans expressed frustration, questioning why more inspectors are not being hired despite high unemployment. Others called for faster adoption of technology and stronger collaboration with the military and private sector to clear backlogs.
While some praised the department’s increased enforcement actions and anti-corruption efforts, critics argued that understaffing reflects deeper, long-standing problems in immigration management.
Looking Ahead
The Department of Home Affairs is working on wider reforms, including a revised White Paper on Citizenship, Immigration and Refugee Protection. Plans include expanding digital identity systems, strengthening ports of entry, and improving deportation processes while trying to balance economic needs for skilled migration.
Minister Schreiber’s honest assessment highlights the difficult balance the government faces between ambitious enforcement targets and limited operational resources. How effectively these challenges are addressed in the coming months will play a key role in restoring public trust in South Africa’s immigration system.
