Floyd Shivambu Claims Most Illegal Immigrants In South Africa Are Not Asylum Seekers

Floyd Shivambu Claims Most Undocumented Immigrants Are Economic Migrants, Not Asylum Seekers

Afrika Mayibuye leader Floyd Shivambu has reignited South Africa’s immigration debate after arguing that most undocumented foreign nationals in the country are economic migrants rather than people seeking asylum from persecution or conflict.

Speaking to Newzroom Afrika, Shivambu reportedly said that the majority of undocumented immigrants were not asylum seekers but people who had entered the country in search of better economic opportunities.

He also argued that South Africa was unusual in accepting people without the required documentation despite the potential socio-economic challenges associated with undocumented migration.

His remarks have added to an increasingly heated national discussion about border security, employment, pressure on public services and the government’s responsibility to enforce immigration laws.

However, his claim about the majority of undocumented migrants has not been independently established by the information available for this report.

Shivambu’s comments focus on the distinction between people seeking international protection and those moving across borders primarily to improve their economic circumstances.

He argued that South Africa should not treat economic migration as equivalent to seeking refuge from persecution, war or other serious threats.

The issue has become increasingly prominent as political organisations and community groups call for stronger immigration controls and more effective enforcement of existing laws.

The South African government has also reiterated its opposition to unlawful immigration, stating that people should enter and remain in the country through lawful channels. It has maintained that genuine asylum seekers must be allowed to use the established refugee determination process.

South African law distinguishes between immigration for economic reasons and applications for refugee protection.

The government explains that people fleeing persecution who require international protection can apply for asylum through the relevant refugee reception system. Applicants are assessed to determine whether they qualify for refugee status.

This distinction is important because someone seeking employment does not automatically qualify for asylum, while a person who entered the country irregularly may still have a legitimate claim for protection.

The Constitutional Court has also reaffirmed that procedural barriers should not prevent people claiming asylum from having their cases assessed on their merits. That does not automatically grant them refugee status or permanent residence.

Consequently, undocumented status, economic migration and asylum claims should not be treated as interchangeable categories.

South Africa continues to face difficult questions about unemployment, access to public services, border management and the capacity of immigration authorities to process applications efficiently.

Supporters of stricter enforcement argue that undocumented migration makes planning and law enforcement more difficult. Others stress that immigration policy must protect vulnerable people and prevent discrimination or violence against foreign nationals.

The United Nations refugee agency reported that South Africa hosted more than 167,000 refugees and asylum seekers in 2025, illustrating that the country also has an established international protection responsibility.

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