A total of 68,138 foreign nationals have been processed in South Africa between June 14 and July 24, with the majority being sent back to their home countries. Mmamoloko Kubayi, Chairperson of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Migration, disclosed this information during a media briefing in Pretoria. The repatriations were initiated due to a surge in attacks on foreign nationals in South Africa, leading some migrants to choose voluntary return.
Kubayi mentioned that the government collaborated with representatives of the countries of origin to facilitate the repatriation process. She highlighted that 72,906 repatriations involving various nationalities were handled by the Border Management Authority at ports of entry. Additionally, dedicated immigration courts resolved 28,736 immigration-related cases, primarily concerning deportations, between April and the end of June.
The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development cautioned against unauthorized identity checks on foreign nationals, emphasizing that migration management is a state responsibility. Kubayi stressed that law enforcement authorities have taken action against individuals violating migration laws, with 354 cases of arrests and prosecutions recorded. The government conducted 93 joint border operations since April to combat illegal activities like human trafficking and drug syndicates.
