South Africa deports nearly 38,000 undocumented foreigners in eight months

Thursday 01 - 16:32

By: Azzat Manal

South Africa deports nearly 38,000 undocumented foreigners in eight months

South Africa detained and deported 37,942 undocumented foreign nationals between January and August 2026, while the government spent about 463.9 million rand, or roughly $26 million, on detention and repatriation operations, according to figures presented to Parliament by Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber.

The figures cover only people detained and deported by the Department of Home Affairs and do not include arrests carried out by other law-enforcement agencies. They also exclude large numbers of people whose cases were processed by the department in preparation for repatriation.

Zimbabwean nationals accounted for the largest share of the deportations, with 12,407 cases, followed by 10,725 Malawians, 9,548 Mozambicans and 4,435 nationals of Lesotho. Together, the four groups represented 37,115 of the 37,942 deportations recorded by the department during the period.

Repatriation operations were intensified from June, amid an increase in undocumented foreign nationals seeking assistance at temporary facilities, particularly in Durban. Between June 14 and August 20, authorities processed 86,596 foreign nationals for deportation and repatriation through coordinated enforcement operations.

A temporary processing centre established in Musina, in Limpopo province near the Zimbabwean border, processed 48,948 people before it was closed in August as demand for the facility declined.

The expenditure included 122.68 million rand for detention and 341.22 million rand for repatriation between June and August. The largest listed repatriation expense was 232.83 million rand for buses, while 48 million rand was allocated to establishing and operating the Musina temporary centre. Other costs included transport, accommodation and chartered flights.

The South African government is covering the costs of repatriating the undocumented nationals. Authorities are working with the countries concerned to establish identities, obtain the necessary documentation and facilitate returns, although such cooperation does not necessarily result in reimbursement of the expenses incurred by Pretoria.

The latest figures form part of a broader increase in South Africa’s immigration enforcement efforts. The Department of Home Affairs reported 57,784 deportations during the 2025/26 financial year, up from 51,560 in 2024/25 and 39,672 in 2023/24.