RAASA and SCRA briefing on asylum applications; progress in reducing backlogs, turnaround times, successes and processing challenges; Musina Temporary Repatriation Centre and Beitbridge Port of Entry.Oversight Report; IEC remuneration report

Video The Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs met to receive briefings from the Standing Committee for Refugee Affairs (SCRA) and Refugee Appeals Authority of South Africa (RAASA) on the processing and adjudication of asylum and refugee matters, with particular emphasis on backlogs, turnaround times, capacity constraints and measures to improve performance. The Committee also considered its draft oversight report on the Musina Temporary Repatriation Centre and Beitbridge Port of Entry and a report on the remuneration of Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) Commissioners for 2025/26. SCRA reported progress in reducing its certification backlog and said its review workstream was performing within target, although significant volumes of refugee-status withdrawal matters remained. RAASA outlined the scale of its historical appeals backlog and measures being implemented through the Surge Initiative, including additional adjudication capacity, case profiling, simplified decision-making processes, virtual hearings and improved data management. Both entities identified capacity, administrative and system-related constraints affecting their work. The Committee raised concerns about the scale and categorisation of the appeals backlog, lengthy turnaround times, judicial reviews, dormant and duplicate cases, inadequate staffing and the sustainability of externally funded capacity. Members questioned safeguards against abuse of the asylum system, the independence of the statutory bodies, digitisation, non-attendance at hearings and the adequacy of mechanisms for monitoring unsuccessful applicants. They called for measurable backlog-reduction targets and expressed concern about delays in finalising the White Paper on Citizenship, Immigration and Refugee Protection. SCRA said individual decision-making had improved finalisations and maintained that its adjudicative functions remained independent of the Department of Home Affairs (DHA). RAASA said the Surge Initiative was accelerating appeal finalisations, while work was underway to identify duplicate and inactive cases. The DHA acknowledged the significant appeals backlog and supported a defined backlog-reduction programme with clear targets, resources and timeframes. It confirmed that work was underway to translate the White Paper into legislation and that proposed relocation of refugee services closer to borders would not involve establishing refugee camps. The Committee deferred adoption of the Musina oversight report pending outstanding financial, demographic and legal-status information. It adopted the IEC remuneration report providing for a 4.1% adjustment, with one Member dissenting because outstanding IEC oversight matters remained unresolved. Further engagement would focus on the capacity, budget and resource requirements of SCRA and RAASA.