Immigration and Water Infrastructure Acts Signed into Law

Posted 14 May 2026 Written by Acts Online
Category New Legislation

Brought to you by SA Legal Academy: The Immigration Amendment Act and the South African National Water Resources Infrastructure Agency SOC Ltd Amendment Act have been signed into law to address constitutional requirements and technical legislative errors.

Immigration Amendment Act

The Immigration Amendment Act, which is not yet in force, was enacted to give effect to Constitutional Court judgments delivered on 29 June 2017 and 30 October 2023. These judgments required amendments to the Immigration Act, No. 13 of 2002 to ensure that any illegal foreigner detained under section 34(1) of the principal statute is afforded specific constitutional protections regarding their detention.

Water Resources Infrastructure Agency Amendment Act

The 2026 South African National Water Resources Infrastructure Agency SOC Ltd Amendment Act is immediately effective. This legislation corrects a technical error in the principal statute, which was operationalised in February 2025. The Act facilitates the establishment and governance of the agency tasked with managing national water resources infrastructure.

What this means for you, your business, or your clients

  • For yourself: Legal practitioners must monitor the Government Gazette for the commencement date of the Immigration Amendment Act to ensure compliance with updated detention procedures under section 34(1).
  • For your business: Firms operating in the water and infrastructure sectors must update their regulatory registers to reflect the technical corrections made to the South African National Water Resources Infrastructure Agency SOC Ltd Act.
  • For your clients: Foreign nationals facing detention under the Immigration Act will have enhanced legal recourse and constitutional oversight once the amendment is fully operationalised.

Originally published at https://legalacademy.co.za/news/read/legislation-immigration-water-agency-bills-signed-into-law

The views expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Acts Online. Acts Online accepts no responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or fairness of the article, nor does the information contained herein constitute advice, legal or otherwise.