South Africa spends nearly 17 billion rand on irregular migrant returns

Monday 07 September 2026 - 12:26

By: Azzat Manal

South Africa spends nearly 17 billion rand on irregular migrant returns

South Africa has spent nearly 17 billion rand, equivalent to more than $1 billion, over the past two financial years on operations aimed at removing foreign nationals living in the country without legal status, according to figures released by the Department of Home Affairs.

The figures were disclosed by Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber in a written response to a parliamentary question, highlighting the significant financial resources being devoted to the government's efforts to tackle irregular migration.

Zimbabwean, Ethiopian and Democratic Republic of Congo nationals are among the groups most frequently affected by deportation operations. However, the government's figures also show that people from a wide range of countries outside Africa have been subject to removal measures, including nationals from Europe, Asia and South America.

The scale of the operations has required additional infrastructure and logistical resources. In the northern border town of Musina, authorities established a temporary repatriation facility to accommodate foreign nationals awaiting arrangements to leave the country. The centre opened at the end of June and received more than 49,000 foreign nationals before being closed at the end of August.

Government officials said more than 95% of those processed at the facility were believed to be in South Africa illegally. The centre was eventually shut down after the number of arrivals declined, reducing the immediate need for the temporary infrastructure.

The operation also placed pressure on existing facilities in other parts of the country. Durban, for example, experienced significant numbers of migrants waiting for transportation towards border areas in the north, creating additional logistical challenges for authorities.

The government has acknowledged that organising large-scale repatriations requires substantial administrative and financial resources. The Musina operation alone involved almost 11,000 people and had a direct cost estimated at 341.2 million rand, or more than $21 million.

Overall, almost 100,000 foreign nationals left South Africa through return and deportation programmes linked to the government's response to irregular migration. The majority of these departures were voluntary, with authorities recording 89,936 voluntary returns compared with 9,997 formal deportations.

Malawian nationals accounted for the largest number of voluntary returns, with 54,541 people leaving the country. They were followed by Zimbabweans, with 27,920 voluntary departures, while 2,417 Mozambican nationals and 1,145 Nigerians were also recorded among those who returned voluntarily.

The figures underline the considerable operational costs associated with South Africa's migration policy, which involves border controls, temporary facilities, transportation, administrative procedures and the deployment of personnel.

Migration remains a politically sensitive issue in South Africa, where the government is under pressure to strengthen immigration enforcement while also addressing the economic, social and humanitarian challenges associated with irregular migration. The scale of recent return operations demonstrates the growing resources being devoted to managing the issue.