NCOP passes two pieces of legislation dealing with immigration, 2025 budget

The National Council of Provinces (NCOP) has managed to pass two pieces of crucial legislation dealing with illegal immigration and the 2025 budget as Parliament wrapped up its business for the year.

The NCOP rubberstamped the Immigration Amendment Bill, which aligns the country's immigration detention procedures with Constitutional Court rulings.

It also passed the Division of Revenue Amendment (DORA) Bill, which will release funds for the national, provincial and local governments.

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The Immigration Amendment Bill amends the Immigration Act of 2002 to address two specific Constitutional Court judgments.

One amendment requires that any illegal foreign national detained for deportation purposes must be brought before a court within 48 hours of arrest.

The court must then determine whether further detention is in the interests of justice before authorising deportation.

NCOP deputy chairperson Les Govender explained the importance of the legislation.

“When it comes to illegal immigrants that are in our country, the IFP [Inkatha Freedom Party] has been very clear that they need to be deported and this amendment bill really helps, especially law enforcement officials in terms of how they should proceed with regards to illegal immigrants that are in detention.”

The passing of the DORA Bill by the NCOP will see technical adjustments to the equitable share of revenue and include an additional R2.9 billion for local government conditional grants to repair municipal infrastructure damaged by disasters.