Virtual Court Speeds Up Deportation Cases in Durban

The court is closely linked to Sherwood Park Hall, where thousands of Malawian nationals have reportedly been sheltering while their immigration matters are being addressed.

The government has stepped up efforts to manage immigration matters through a specialised Virtual Priority Court, which recently processed approximately 80 cases resulting in deportation orders for undocumented foreign nationals. The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development (DoJCD) said the court handled the cases on 16 June as part of a broader strategy to improve the efficiency of immigration proceedings and support lawful migration management. According to the department, all individuals who appeared before the court were granted their constitutional rights throughout the process, including access to legal representation through Legal Aid South Africa.

Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Andries Nel visited the Virtual Priority Court, which is operating from the Durban Magistrates' Court, to assess its functioning and ongoing operations. The government also announced that five additional in-person courts would begin hearing immigration-related matters from 17 June. These courts will operate alongside the Virtual Priority Court to increase capacity and speed up the handling of cases.

Sherwood Park Facility Remains Key to Operations

The court is closely linked to Sherwood Park Hall, where thousands of Malawian nationals have reportedly been sheltering while their immigration matters are being addressed. The Virtual Priority Court uses audio-visual technology that allows proceedings to take place remotely, reducing the need to transport large numbers of people to court while still ensuring access to judicial processes.

To support the initiative, the eThekwini Municipality has committed to providing transport between Sherwood Park and the Durban Magistrates' Court when required. During his visit, Deputy Minister Nel also met with Malawi's Consul-General, Maxwell Biwi, at the Sherwood Park facility. Discussions focused on migration challenges and ongoing cooperation between South Africa and neighbouring countries.

Nel reiterated President Cyril Ramaphosa's position that migration issues require regional solutions and continued engagement with African countries to address challenges affecting the continent.

Technology Helps Accelerate Immigration Proceedings

The Virtual Priority Court was established following commitments made by President Ramaphosa earlier this year to create dedicated courts that would help process immigration matters more efficiently. The initiative forms part of government's wider migration management strategy announced after the State of the Nation Address and Cabinet's adoption of a Comprehensive Approach for Migration Management.

The court operates through collaboration between the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, the Department of Home Affairs, the judiciary and Legal Aid South Africa. Advanced technology plays a central role in the process. Officials are using Integrated Justice System tools that allow biometric verification, identity confirmation and status checks across multiple government databases in real time.

These systems enable authorities to access information from institutions such as the Department of Home Affairs and the South African Police Service without relying on lengthy manual procedures.

Government says the technology improves accuracy, strengthens coordination between departments and significantly reduces the time needed to process immigration cases. The department also acknowledged the support provided by the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government, eThekwini Municipality, the Departments of Health and Social Development, and Home Affairs in delivering humanitarian assistance to people being accommodated at Sherwood Park while their cases are being finalised.