The Secretary-General of the African National Congress (ANC), Fikile Mbalula, has stated that illegal immigration should not be viewed as a uniquely South African issue, but rather as a broader continental and global challenge requiring coordinated international action.
Speaking on the matter amid ongoing public debate over migration and border management in South Africa, Mbalula emphasized that the movement of people across borders is driven by complex factors, including economic hardship, political instability, and regional conflicts across Africa and other parts of the world.
He cautioned against framing the issue in a way that isolates South Africa, arguing that such an approach risks oversimplifying a deeply rooted global phenomenon.
“Illegal immigration is not a South African problem; it is an African and global problem,” Mbalula said, underscoring the need for stronger regional cooperation and policy alignment among African states to address migration pressures effectively.
His remarks come at a time when South Africa continues to face heightened public concern over undocumented migration, with debates intensifying around border security, access to public services, and job competition. Civil society groups and political parties have expressed differing views on how government should respond, with some calling for stricter enforcement measures and others advocating for more humane and development-focused solutions.
Mbalula reiterated that South Africa cannot resolve migration challenges alone, stressing the importance of partnerships within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and broader international frameworks. He also pointed to the need for improved economic conditions in countries of origin as a long-term solution to irregular migration.
The ANC has consistently maintained that migration must be managed in a manner that balances national sovereignty with human rights obligations, while also addressing the structural causes that drive people to leave their home countries.
As the debate continues, Mbalula’s comments are expected to add further weight to discussions around immigration policy, border control reforms, and regional cooperation strategies aimed at managing migration flows more sustainably.