Concerns are growing among migrant communities, including thousands of Malawians in South Africa, as calls intensify for authorities to rethink how immigration laws are enforced amid rising crackdowns and public tension.
The Muslim Judicial Council has urged South African authorities to adopt a lawful, humane and sustainable approach to migration, warning that harsh enforcement alone risks deepening suffering among already vulnerable families.
The council said while the rule of law must be respected, it should go hand in hand with the protection of human dignity, especially for women and children caught in migration enforcement actions. It stressed that constitutional values and international human rights standards should guide every decision on migration control.
At the same time, the MJC cautioned that short-term or punitive responses will not solve deeper structural pressures facing communities, including overcrowded services and rising social tensions linked to migration flows.
It further called for a coordinated national strategy involving government institutions, civil society groups and religious leaders, arguing that fragmented responses only worsen the crisis instead of resolving it.
The council also highlighted the need for stronger investment in border management systems, proper documentation processes and integration programmes that can reduce illegal movement while supporting orderly migration.
It warned public leaders against using rhetoric that fuels xenophobia or division, saying such language places already vulnerable migrants at greater risk and undermines social cohesion.
In its message, the council insisted that a lawful and humane migration approach is not only a legal requirement but also a moral responsibility, especially in a region where migration pressures continue to affect millions across Southern Africa.
