March and March movement leader Jacinta Ngobese Zuma has criticised South Africa’s asylum application system, describing it as flawed and raising concerns about its potential impact on the country.
Ngobese made the comments during an interview with YouTube broadcaster Durban Network ZA on Oct. 7, following the reopening of South Africa’s asylum application system by the Department of Home Affairs.
The reopening followed a Constitutional Court ruling that found sections of the Refugees Act unconstitutional and required changes to the country’s asylum application framework.
Speaking about the court proceedings, Ngobese said she was disappointed that the government had not done enough to defend its position in court.
“Our refugee and asylum seeker process in South Africa is completely flawed. If it was a normal process, any South African would understand that there are people who are currently desperately in need of a safe place,” she said.
Ngobese argued that South Africa’s circumstances should be considered when determining how the country manages refugees and asylum seekers. She claimed that refugees and asylum seekers receive rights and protections that can place additional pressure on the state.
She linked her concerns to South Africa’s high unemployment, crime levels and weak economic growth, arguing that the asylum system could create additional obligations for a government already providing social assistance to unemployed and vulnerable citizens.
“This is not about me. This is about the future of the country,” Ngobese said.
She also questioned the extent of background screening of asylum seekers, raising concerns about police clearances and security checks.
Her comments come amid broader public debate over immigration and asylum policy in South Africa, including tensions reported in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal.
South Africa’s refugee and asylum system remains governed by the Refugees Act and constitutional protections, while the Department of Home Affairs is responsible for processing applications and implementing the relevant court-directed changes.
Watch Interview with Durban Network
