ActionSA pushes asylum cap: Only 10,000 applications a year

ActionSA is making waves in the immigration debate, proposing a strict annual cap of just 10,000 new asylum seeker applications. The proposal forms part of the party’s submission on the revised White Paper on Citizenship, Immigration and Refugee Protection, published for public comment by the Department of Home Affairs in 2025. ActionSA argues that uncontrolled immigration and weak enforcement have hurt both foreign nationals and South Africans, calling for nationality-based quotas and stronger parliamentary oversight of migration targets. The party also backs the “first safe country” principle - meaning asylum seekers who pass through safe third countries would not qualify for protection in South Africa. Phemelo speaks to ActionSA MP Lerato Ngobeni.