Experts say immigration police abused legal migrants after ZEP holder was shouted at in video

Experts have accused some law-enforcement officers tasked with immigration control of abusing legal migrants after a video showed an Emalahleni municipality police officer shouting at a Zimbabwean national who produced a Zimbabwe Exemption Permit (ZEP).

What the video shows

The clip depicts an officer who, according to on-screen events, does not appear to accept or understand the ZEP extension issued by the Department of Home Affairs. The department’s extension of ZEP validity is referenced in the video and in expert comments.

Calls for better briefing and training

ZimCommunitySA spokesperson Bongani Mkwananzi said the organisation condemns “the harassment, humiliation and intimidation of migrants in South Africa.” He warned the footage raised “serious concerns about the level of immigration law knowledge among officials entrusted with enforcing South Africa’s immigration laws.”

Mkwananzi added it was “most concerning is the apparent dismissal by a senior police officer of the existence and extension of the ZEP, even after being informed that its validity had been extended through a directive issued by the department of home affairs under Minister Leon Schreiber, including the current Directive 21.”

He called on authorities to ensure police and immigration officials are briefed whenever directives affecting migrants are issued or amended, saying: “A lawful status must be capable of being reliably recognised by the very officials responsible for enforcing immigration law.”

Experts describe the incident as a training and rights issue

Prof Witness Maluleke, senior criminologist at the University of Limpopo, said enforcement of immigration laws must be carried out within the law and without infringing on anyone’s rights. He said clear communications between the Department of Home Affairs and the police should be enhanced and that “the incompetent officers should not be allowed to practice or apply the law at the expense of other individuals’ rights. As a result, internal investigations should be initiated against the responsible official.”

Investigator Mike Bolhuis criticised the officer’s conduct, saying: “Ignorance is no part of the law. It does not allow you as an official in any capacity in our government to be unkind or inhumane and not considerate, because your main job is to protect and serve.”

Willem Els, senior criminologist from the Institute for Security Studies, described the footage as evidence of poor training and understanding among officers. He said: “This is clearly a lack of training, a lack of understanding of these officers and it’s embarrassing to see.” Els urged that police should familiarise themselves with immigration regulations and suggested a reset through retraining and reskilling of officers and management.

Allegations and recommended investigations

Mkwananzi also pointed to reports that migrants have been asked for money by unscrupulous actors, including allegations involving people presenting themselves as members of law enforcement. He said such allegations and the conduct shown in the video “must be properly investigated.”

The incident and expert reactions highlight calls for improved briefing, training and internal investigations so that lawful residency documents such as the ZEP are recognised by officials tasked with enforcing immigration law.