The South African government deported 37,942 undocumented foreign nationals between January 1 and August 31, 2026, according to Home Affairs Minister Dr. Leon Schreiber. The largest numbers of deportations were from Zimbabwe, Malawi, Mozambique, and Lesotho. The Department of Home Affairs spent R463.9 million on detention and repatriation operations during this period. This information was disclosed in a parliamentary reply to MK Party MP Siyabonga Percival Mkhize.
The Department of Home Affairs detained and deported individuals from various countries, with Zimbabwean nationals accounting for 12,407 deportations, followed by 10,725 Malawians, 9,548 Mozambicans, and 4,435 people from Lesotho. These four countries accounted for 37,115 of the deportations recorded by the department. The figures do not include "vast numbers" of people processed by Home Affairs for repatriation.
The government intensified its repatriation operations in June following a surge in undocumented foreign nationals seeking assistance at temporary sites, particularly in Durban. Between June 14 and August 20, about 86,596 foreign nationals were processed for deportation and repatriation through coordinated law enforcement operations. The Musina Temporary Repatriation Processing Centre in Limpopo, established in June, processed 48,948 people before it closed in August.
The department spent R122.68 million on detention between January and August. The highest monthly detention bill was recorded in April at R45.2 million, followed by May at R17.66 million and February at R11.6 million. Repatriation expenditure recorded between June and August totalled R341.22 million, bringing the combined detention and repatriation costs to about R463.9 million.
The largest listed repatriation expense was R232.83 million for buses supplied by Atlantis. The department also recorded R48 million for the establishment and operation of the Musina Temporary Repatriation Processing Centre by the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure. Other costs included R10.66 million paid to the City of eThekwini for transport to Musina and R3.8 million to the City of Cape Town for transport and facilities at Epping.
The department also recorded R8.76 million for chartered flights to the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Burundi. Additionally, R9.56 million was spent on accommodation in Durban and Musina, and R14.55 million for travel and subsistence, venues, and other supplies. The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure has not yet submitted its claim for the cost of establishing and maintaining the Musina temporary processing centre.
The costs of repatriating undocumented foreign nationals are being carried by the South African government. Engagements with relevant countries were undertaken to assist with identifying, documenting, and returning their nationals. However, such cooperation does not necessarily result in those countries reimbursing South Africa for repatriation costs.
Key points
- The South African government spent R463.9 million on detention and repatriation operations between January and August 2026.
- A total of 37,942 undocumented foreign nationals were deported during this period.
- The majority of deportations were from Zimbabwe, Malawi, Mozambique, and Lesotho.
