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Focus 56 Chapters

Asylum Seeker Detention in South Africa: Towards Securitisation Asylum Seeker Detention in South Africa: Towards Securitisation

This brief explores the evolving role of detention in South Africa’s asylum system, highlighting how legal developments have shifted the balance towards state sovereignty and border protection at the expense of refugee protection. Changes to the legal framework, such as the introduction of ‘good cause’ interviews and stricter penalties for irregular entry, have made detention a central tool in managing asylum seekers. These developments raise concerns about the accessibility of refugee protection, as new procedural barriers risk preventing legitimate asylum claims. Ultimately, this brief argues that the increased reliance on detention unfairly criminalises asylum seekers and weakens South Africa’s adherence to international refugee law.

CLARIFICATORY STATEMENT: PAUL O’SULLIVAN INTERVIEW CLARIFICATORY STATEMENT: PAUL O’SULLIVAN INTERVIEW

The Helen Suzman Foundation (HSF) wishes to clarify statements made by Paul O’Sullivan during an online interview with the journalist Alec Hogg on 12 October 2025. Mr O’Sullivan stated that he “funded” the Foundation with a substantial amount of money to overturn Mr Robert McBride’s suspension as Executive Director of the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID). We believe this to be an unfortunate mischaracterization.

© Helen Suzman Foundation