Over 40,000 illegal foreign nationals have been arrested in South Africa since the beginning of 2026, with 7,400 arrests made in the past month, according to the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on Migration. The IMC, constituted by President Cyril Ramaphosa and led by Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Mmamoloko Kubayi, revealed the figures during a media briefing. The committee includes representatives from the Department of Home Affairs, the South African Police Service (SAPS), the Department of Small Business Development, and the Department of Defence. According to allafrica.com, the IMC also includes representatives from the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, the Department of Employment and Labour, the Department of Basic Education, and the Department of Higher Education and Training. Capetownetc.com reported that the IMC will include representatives from the Department of Transport and the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition. A foreign national may be arrested in South Africa if unable to prove legal documentation to remain in the country, or for committing a crime, according to help.unhcr.org. Police or immigration officers may detain a foreign national if they have reasonable grounds to believe the person does not have legal stay. Refugees in South Africa must carry their refugee status document. Individuals arrested for documentation issues are advised to contact a lawyer.