South Africa is making significant strides in reducing its refugee appeals backlog.
The Department of Home Affairs reported a decline in the active appeals caseload at the Refugee Appeals Authority of South Africa (RAASA) from 79,870 cases at the end of 2024 to 70,976 by the end of 2025. This represents a reduction of 8,894 active appeals, or more than 12%.
Major Reduction in Refugee Appeals Backlog
The Department of Home Affairs has achieved the largest reduction in South Africa’s refugee appeals backlog in years. The active appeals caseload dropped significantly, indicating a more efficient processing system. Home Affairs Minister Dr. Leon Schreiber emphasized that while there is still work to be done, the efficiency gains are noteworthy.
During the 2025/26 financial year, 19,064 cases were removed from the backlog of 133,582 appeals, resulting in a 14.2% reduction. This progress is attributed to various methods, including appeal determinations, withdrawals, and case finalizations.
Improvements in Asylum Appeals System
The backlog has accumulated over two decades, with many cases unresolved since 2008. The recent improvements represent a significant enhancement in the performance of the asylum appeals system. The Department of Home Affairs has implemented reforms such as appointing 40 additional advocates and increasing the number of daily appeal hearings.
Collaboration with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has also been strengthened to ensure better decision-making quality. Additional advocates from the Cape Bar are being onboarded to address the high caseload in the Western Cape.
Next Steps for Refugee Appeals Authority
- Continue to appoint additional advocates to strengthen capacity.
- Increase the number of daily appeal hearings.
- Implement targeted adjudication strategies for high-volume appeals.
South Africa is committed to improving its refugee appeals process for a more efficient system.
