The specialised Virtual Priority Court processed approximately 80 immigration cases on Monday, supporting government's drive to speed up deportations following President Cyril Ramaphosa's recent immigration intervention measures.
Image: Independent Newspapers
Government’s Virtual Priority Court, dealing with immigration matters, has granted approximately 80 deportation orders in Durban as authorities intensify efforts to fast-track the processing of undocumented migrants under President Cyril Ramaphosa’s immigration enforcement measures.
The court, which sat at the Durban Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday June 16, 2026, was visited by Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Andries Nel, who observed its operational functionality at the request of Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi.
The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development said the establishment of the court forms part of government’s broader immigration reform agenda.
“The establishment of the Virtual Priority Court was in response to a commitment made by the President that dedicated courts would be established to deal with immigration and to speedily support the deportation of undocumented migrants,” said department spokesperson Palesa Rammitlwa.
She said the initiative follows announcements made in the State of the Nation Address and Cabinet’s adoption of a Comprehensive Approach for Migration Management aimed at strengthening the enforcement of immigration laws.
The court is a collaboration between the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, the Department of Home Affairs, the judiciary, and Legal Aid South Africa.
It uses audio-visual technology linking proceedings at the Durban Magistrates’ Court with Sherwood Park Hall in eThekwini, where large numbers of Malawian nationals are currently being accommodated.
The department said the system also makes use of Integrated Justice System technology, including biometric verification and real-time database checks across government departments, to improve identity confirmation and case processing.
“It enables a seamless collaboration between government departments by ensuring biometric data, identity verification, and status checks are done in real time, eliminating manual processes,” Rammitlwa said.
The department said approximately 1,876 Malawian nationals have been found to be in the country illegally, with verified contraventions including overstaying visas, expired travel documents, and undocumented status.
“These all constitute grounds for deportation under the Immigration Act, 2002,” Rammitlwa said.
As of 14 June 2026, the Government of Malawi had repatriated 676 of its nationals, while an estimated 7,000 remain at Sherwood Park in eThekwini.
On Tuesday, the Virtual Priority Court processed approximately 80 immigration cases, with deportation orders granted in each matter.
“All affected persons appearing before the court were afforded their constitutional rights, including access to legal representation as provided by Legal Aid South Africa,” Rammitlwa said.
From Wednesday, June 17, 2026, Rammitlwa said five additional in-person courts were expected to begin hearing immigration matters at the Durban Magistrates’ Court, while the Virtual Priority Court would continue operating alongside Court 9.
The eThekwini Municipality has undertaken to provide transport between Sherwood Park and the court.
Following his visit, Nel also met with Malawi’s Consul-General, Maxwell Biwi, at Sherwood Park Hall.
Rammitlwa said Nel reiterated government’s commitment to working with African countries to develop a coordinated response to migration challenges across the continent.
She added that he commended cooperation between government departments and local authorities in providing humanitarian support at Sherwood Park.
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