Pretoria:The Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on Migration has detailed a series of measures aimed at strengthening South Africa's asylum system and broader migration management. This initiative follows a Constitutional Court ruling that expanded access to the asylum determination process.

According to South African Government News Agency, the IMC held an urgent meeting to assess the operational impact of the judgment, noting a significant increase in asylum applications at Refugee Reception Offices. IMC Chairperson Mmamoloko Kubayi stated that the committee is collaborating with various government departments to address the immediate pressures on the asylum system.

The Constitutional Court ruling highlighted procedural barriers that excluded individuals from the asylum process. In response, the IMC plans to enhance refugee processing capacity, identity verification, and information-sharing between agencies. Efforts will also focus on identifying fraud within the asylum system.

Additionally, the IMC will recommend extending the Special Investigating Unit's authority to include Refugee Reception Offices, aiming to tackle fraudulent asylum status issuances. The committee is also coordinating legal responses to migration-related court directives.

A strategic plan to relocate Refugee Reception Offices closer to borders is underway, facilitating processing at entry points. This move aligns with broader migration policy reviews and legislative drafting by the Department of Home Affairs.

The IMC reaffirms its commitment to the Five-Point Plan, emphasizing border management, combating human trafficking, improving migration systems, and lawful migration practices. The committee also cautioned against misinformation surrounding the court judgment and urged cooperation to address migration challenges.

The IMC is scheduled to continue its work and report progress on the Five-Point Plan, ensuring a balanced approach to border security, lawful migration, and asylum protection while enforcing national laws.