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On my request, the Immigration Advisory Board in conjunction with my department will be holding a public consultation on the "Phenomenon of Illegal Immigration in South Africa", at the Centurion Town Council (Chamber of Commerce Hall) on 2 December 2003 at 14h00.

This public consultation on illegal immigration intends to begin a process aimed at acquiring the basic facts of illegal immigration. The Immigration Advisory Board has the statutory function of advising me, as the Minister, and, through me, the whole of our government. It is my intention to create a realistic, informed and reliable picture on the phenomenon of illegal immigration including its causes, dynamics and effects in order to be able to advise our government on actions to be taken and to engage public debate on it.

I am concerned that at present there is insufficient information about the dimension, distribution, impact, implications and effects of illegal immigration. Simply put, we do not know how many people are involved, where they are and what their impact is on our communities. Before we can develop adequate policies in this respect, we need to acquire a better understanding of this phenomenon. The high-level expertise involved in this public consultation should begin a process of intelligent and serene discussion on this matter.

The beginning of this process coincides with efforts that my department must now make and can no longer delay in establishing the inspectorate contemplated in the Immigration Act as our enforcement branch in migration control. The Immigration Act has made it easier for foreigners to be in South Africa legally and the inspectorate must concretise the Act's accompanying intention to deal with those who are in South Africa illegally with greater determination and efficacy. However, in order to direct the inspectorate's action, a comprehensive understanding of the phenomenon is required.

Because I am concerned both about the lack of available information at hand as well as the need to develop law enforcement procedures, which are fully consonant with the higher standards of a human rights culture, I have invited the Immigration Advisory Board to commission research on both these complementary aspects. For instance, I am given to understand that the Centre for Development and Enterprise will be undertaking research on xenophobia, while the Institute for Security Studies will be undertaking a research project on illegal immigration and its possible positive and negative social impact. These are two aspects that go into the formulation of a complex picture out of which the whole of our society ought to gain a better understanding of this phenomenon, to avoid both overreactions and undue concerns as well as ineffective law enforcement policies, which do not meet community needs and public interest.

Issued by: Ministry of Home Affairs

26 November 2003