South Africa seeks comments on moving refugee reception services

Identify the three proposals before changing any appointment

South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs is seeking comment on three proposals published on 30 October. The Inter-Ministerial Committee on Migration identifies a proposed closure of the Tshwane Refugee Reception Office, a new office at Beitbridge Port of Entry and a requirement that certain asylum seekers apply through that office. The government describes these as proposals. The reviewed notices do not give a confirmed closure or opening date.

This matters both to people who use the Tshwane office and to people whose first asylum filing might be directed to Beitbridge if the plan takes effect. The committee says implementation dates, transition arrangements, documentation and reporting procedures will be supplied to affected individuals. Anyone with a current appointment should check the instructions for that appointment before making a different journey.

Check which applicants the draft reporting notice names

Notice R.8123 proposes in-person asylum applications at Beitbridge for people entering through 12 named crossings. They include Beitbridge, Derdepoort, Giriyondo, Groblersbrug, Kopfontein, Pafuri, Platjan, Pontdrift, Ramatlabama, Skilpadshek, Stockpoort and Swartkopfontein. A separate clause covers people unable to prove entry through another port when Home Affairs also cannot verify that entry in its systems. It includes newly scheduled online cases that fall in that clause.

For example, a person entering through Giriyondo would appear in the named-port clause if the proposal took effect as drafted. A person using another port should consider what proof is available and what the department can verify. The proposal concerns the office for lodging a claim. It leaves questions about how files and appointments already held at Tshwane would be transferred.

Send any comments by the receipt deadline

The government news service says comments must reach Home Affairs by 30 November 2026. Address a written submission to the Chief Director for Legal Services and mark it for Advocate Moses Malakate. The stated channels are Moses.Malakate@dha.gov.za, delivery to the Hallmark Building at 230 Johannes Ramokhoase Street in Pretoria, or post to Private Bag X114, Pretoria, 0001. The notice gives 012 406 4023 and 012 406 4273 for consultation questions.

Identify the notice number so the department can see whether your comment concerns closure, opening or mandatory reporting. A person who regularly attends Tshwane could explain the travel time and cost a move would introduce, how an existing appointment might be affected, and what notice they would need. A group can describe how members could reach a new office and what help they would need if a case is transferred. The closing date concerns public comments, and the reviewed notice specifies no fee to submit one.

Use existing asylum and renewal instructions while consultation continues

UNHCR’s asylum guide continues to list Desmond Tutu in Pretoria and Musina as separate refugee reception offices. Use the office named in your latest instructions and confirm arrangements with Home Affairs if the date or location is unclear. UNHCR’s documentation guide describes a separate extension service for people who already hold Section 22 or Section 24 documentation. It says that extension service is free and gives the evidence and submission instructions.

Keep the permit expiry date and any existing interview or renewal appointment separate from the consultation timetable. A comment does not renew a document or reschedule a visit. If a closure were to proceed, the committee says it would provide transition details. Questions still open include which office would keep an existing file, how appointments would be reassigned and what Home Affairs would accept as proof of entry for people whose journeys cannot be verified electronically.

If the office will not accept a filing or you cannot resolve an expiring document, use UNHCR’s legal assistance directory for the province where you live. It lists Lawyers for Human Rights clinics in Pretoria, Johannesburg, Durban and Musina, and identifies access to asylum and problems with existing documents as issues its partners can address.