When private actors enforce immigration law, everyone pays the price

Add to that the undocumented immigrant, the asylum seeker without a final determination, the refugee whose permit renewal is delayed by a backlogged home affairs, the poor black South African without an ID because the state itself failed to issue one, more than 4.

The state budgeted more than R600 million for security operations for South African Police Service (Saps), South African National Defence Force, metro police, intelligence structures and private security to contain the violence.

It is also happening despite a high court judgment four months ago confirming that only immigration officers and police acting under Section 41 of the Immigration Act may lawfully demand proof of identity or status.