KMagED
One of the most contentious issues in South Africa is the presence of undocumented foreigners, who are often blamed for crime, unemployment and social ills.
But how many of them are there, and where do they come from? The answer is not simple, because there is no reliable mechanism for knowing how many undocumented foreigners are in the country.
According to the latest census, conducted in 2011, there were about 2.2 million foreign-born people living in South Africa, accounting for 4.2% of the total population. However, this figure does not include those who entered the country illegally or overstayed their visas, and who are therefore not registered by any official source.
The Department of Home Affairs, which is responsible for immigration and border control, does not have accurate data on the number of undocumented foreigners, either. The department relies on estimates based on deportations, asylum applications and amnesty programs, but these methods have limitations and inconsistencies.
For instance, deportations only capture a fraction of the undocumented population, and do not account for those who return after being expelled. Asylum applications reflect the number of people who seek protection from persecution or violence in their home countries, but not all of them qualify as refugees or stay in the country legally.
Amnesty programs offer a chance for undocumented foreigners to regularize their status, but they depend on the willingness and ability of the applicants to comply with the requirements and deadlines.
The lack of reliable data on undocumented foreigners makes it difficult to assess their impact on the economy, society and security of South Africa.
It also fuels speculation and misinformation, which can lead to xenophobia and violence. Therefore, it is important to develop a more effective and humane mechanism for knowing how many undocumented foreigners are in the country, and to address the root causes of irregular migration.
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