‘I’ll be accused of xenophobia’: Ntshavheni on defining who qualifies for refugee status

Minister In The Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni. Picture: Gallo Images / Frennie Shivambu Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni has stressed that the South African government is seeking to tighten how refugee status is granted. Speaking during a media briefing on Thursday, 2 April 2026, Ntshavheni outlined Cabinet’s latest decisions, including approval of a revised white paper on Citizenship, Immigration and Refugee Protection (CIRP).

The draftwhite papersignals a major shift in South Africa’s migration and citizenship system. First published for public comment in December 2025 by the Department of Home Affairs, the policy proposes merging three key laws – the Citizenship Act, Immigration Act and Refugees Act – into a single framework. According to government, the aim is to eliminate inconsistencies in existing legislation while modernising the system.

Proposed changes include incorporating visa reform recommendations from Operation Vulindlela, improving policy implementation, and accelerating digital transformation within immigration processes. The policy also introduces mechanisms to align immigration with economic and national security priorities. Among these is the provision for departments to reserve certain sectors of the economy for South African citizens, while still recognising the rights of asylum seekers to work and sustain themselves.

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Another aspect of the white paper is the “first country of safety” principle, which emphasises that people fleeing conflict should seek refuge in the nearest safe country. Ntshavheni explained that the country’s approach differs from countries that operate refugee camps.

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