Asylum claims may move to Beitbridge. Comment by 30 November
Home Affairs has gazetted plans to close the Tshwane Refugee Reception Office and make asylum seekers from 12 northern border posts apply at a new Beitbridge office. Public comment closes on 30 November 2026.
Home Affairs wants asylum seekers who cross into South Africa through the northern border posts to apply at a new refugee office in Beitbridge, and it plans to close the Tshwane Refugee Reception Office. The proposals were gazetted on Friday, 30 October, and the public has until 30 November 2026 to comment (SAnews).
Nothing has changed yet. These are proposals, and the government says implementation dates and transitional arrangements will be announced later (SAnews).
What exactly is Home Affairs proposing?
The gazette contains three linked proposals (The Citizen, SAnews):
| Proposal | What it means |
|---|---|
| Disestablish the Tshwane Refugee Reception Office | The Pretoria office would stop serving asylum seekers |
| Establish a Beitbridge Refugee Reception Office | A new office at the Beitbridge port of entry on the Zimbabwe border |
| Require certain asylum seekers to apply in person at Beitbridge | Applies to people who entered through the northern border posts listed below |
Sources: The Citizen, SAnews
News24 reports that Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber gazetted the proposal (News24).
Which border posts are affected?
Anyone who entered South Africa through one of these 12 ports of entry would have to apply at Beitbridge (The Citizen):
| Border posts on the list | |
|---|---|
| Beitbridge | Platjan |
| Derdepoort | Pontdrift |
| Giriyondo | Ramatlabama |
| Groblersbrug | Skilpadshek |
| Kopfontein | Stockpoort |
| Pafuri | Swartkopfontein |
Source: The Citizen
It also covers asylum seekers who can't prove they entered through another port of entry, where Home Affairs can't verify that entry on its systems. That includes new applicants booked through the online system who fall into this group (The Citizen).
According to the government, people sent to Beitbridge may have to report there for registration, documentation, adjudication, permit renewals and updating their records (SAnews).
Does this take away asylum seekers' rights?
The Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on Migration, chaired by Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi, says no. It said the proposals "do not alter the legal rights and protections available to asylum seekers under South African law" and that South Africa will keep to its obligations under the Constitution and the UN and OAU refugee conventions (SAnews).
The government's stated aim is to process claims closer to the border, tighten identity and biometric checks and cut abuse of the system (SAnews). The IMC has said the phased move of refugee offices towards the borders is expected to start in December. Under that plan, people whose applications are rejected can be turned back at the port of entry (The Citizen).
Why is this happening now?
In July the Constitutional Court ruled that refugees and asylum seekers must be allowed to access refugee reception offices even if they entered the country illegally. The case was brought by the Scalabrini Centre of Cape Town against the Minister of Home Affairs (The Citizen).
On 28 September Home Affairs issued a directive on taking in asylum applications. Large crowds arrived at Home Affairs offices, protests followed, and the department withdrew the directive on 9 October (The Citizen). The new gazette is its second attempt at a workable system.
How do I comment before 30 November?
Written submissions go to the Chief Director: Legal Services, for the attention of Advocate Moses Malakate, and must reach Home Affairs by 30 November 2026 (SAnews).
| How to submit | Details |
|---|---|
| [email protected] | |
| Post | Private Bag X114, Pretoria, 0001 |
| By hand | Hallmark Building, 230 Johannes Ramokhoase Street, Pretoria |
| Enquiries | (012) 406 4023 or (012) 406 4273 |
Source: SAnews
The full gazette can be found on the Government Printing Works gazette page.
What should asylum seekers do in the meantime?
Keep using your current refugee reception office and existing appointments until Home Affairs announces final rules and dates. The government says affected people will be told which categories must report at Beitbridge, when it starts, what documents are needed and where to get help (SAnews).
FAQ
Is the Tshwane Refugee Reception Office closing?
Home Affairs has proposed closing it in a gazette published on 30 October 2026. It is a proposal open for public comment until 30 November 2026, not a final decision.
Who would have to apply for asylum at Beitbridge?
People who entered through 12 northern border posts, including Beitbridge, Groblersbrug, Kopfontein, Ramatlabama and Skilpadshek, plus asylum seekers whose entry through another port can't be verified.
When will the Beitbridge refugee office open?
No date has been set. The government says implementation dates and transitional arrangements will be published later. The IMC on Migration expects the phased relocation of offices to start in December.
How do I comment on the asylum proposals?
Email [email protected], post to Private Bag X114, Pretoria, 0001, or hand deliver to the Hallmark Building, 230 Johannes Ramokhoase Street, Pretoria, by 30 November 2026.