Durban: The Virtual Priority Court, which addresses immigration matters, has processed approximately 80 deportation orders as part of the government's intensified efforts to enforce immigration laws and ensure the orderly deportation of undocumented foreign nationals.
According to South African Government News Agency, on June 16, the Virtual Priority Court handled about 80 cases where deportation orders were granted. The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development (DoJCD) emphasized that all individuals appearing before the court were afforded their constitutional rights, including the right to legal representation, as provided by Legal Aid SA. This announcement was made in a statement by the department on Wednesday.
Justice and Constitutional Development Deputy Minister Andries Nel visited the court, which is in session at the Durban Magistrates' Court. The department also announced that starting June 17, five more in-person courts will be operational at the Durban Magistrates' Court to hear immigration matters, while the Virtual Priority Court will continue its operations linked to Court 9 at the same venue. The eThekwini Municipality has committed to providing transportation for individuals between Sherwood Park and the court.
Deputy Minister Nel also visited Sherwood Park Hall, where approximately 7,000 Malawians have gathered, to meet with the Consul-General of Malawi, Maxwell Biwi. During his visit, Nel reiterated President Cyril Ramaphosa's message that South Africa will continue to engage with other African countries to develop a broader response to migration challenges across the region and continent. He also praised the collaboration between the DoJCD, the Department of Home Affairs (DHA), eThekwini Municipality, the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government, the Department of Health, and the Department of Social Development, all of which have contributed to providing humanitarian support to individuals at Sherwood Park.
The Virtual Priority Court is a part of the government's comprehensive approach to addressing migration challenges. Following the State of the Nation Address in February and the Cabinet's adoption of a Comprehensive Approach for Migration Management, President Ramaphosa announced measures to ensure immigration laws are respected and enforced, ensuring that every person entering the country does so lawfully. The establishment of the Virtual Priority Court is a response to the President's commitment to creating dedicated courts to handle immigration matters and support the swift deportation of undocumented migrants.
The court represents a collaborative effort involving the DoJCD, the DHA, the judiciary, and Legal Aid SA. It utilizes advanced technology, such as audio-visual linkages to Sherwood Park Hall, where many Malawian foreign nationals are currently sheltered. The use of Integrated Justice System devices, like the IJS' Integrated Person Management solution, allows for managing and tracking an individual across the justice system, enabling seamless collaboration between government departments. By employing these devices, biometric data, identity verification, and status checks against databases like those of the DHA and the SAPS can be performed in real-time, eliminating the need for manual checks and ensuring faster, more accurate processing of individuals.