PRETORIA, South Africa — The South African government has processed more than 53,000 foreign nationals for repatriation and deportation as of mid-July 2026, marking a significant phase in the country’s structured migration enforcement efforts. During a media briefing in Pretoria, the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Migration confirmed that a total of 53,449 individuals have been processed, with Malawian citizens comprising at least 80 percent of this figure, followed by Zimbabwean and Mozambican nationals.
This development follows the “March and March” movement, which organized rolling mass actions demanding that undocumented foreign nationals leave the country by the end of June. Officials noted that at least 120 marches were organized nationwide, with 108 of them proceeding entirely without incident. As a result, thousands of undocumented foreigners have either voluntarily departed or been formally processed for deportation.
While the vast majority of repatriations remain within the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the committee reported that 2,615 foreign nationals were returned to countries beyond the region. This includes 431 individuals sent to Kenya, 939 to Uganda, 86 to the Republic of Congo, and 159 Nigerian nationals.
Addressing public sentiment and civilian actions, the Inter-Ministerial Committee issued a stern warning against unauthorized, door-to-door searches for undocumented immigrants. Spokespersons emphasized that vigilante activity is entirely unacceptable, reiterating that only the state holds the legal responsibility and authority to enforce national immigration laws.
The government also remained unfazed by international criticism regarding Pretoria’s strict enforcement of its immigration policies. Officials firmly defended the nation’s autonomy, stating that South Africa is a sovereign republic. “We must not have another state or citizens of other countries telling us how we must do our laws and how we must enforce them,” a committee representative stated, adding that this sovereign right was hard-fought and must be respected.
Furthermore, the committee addressed the root causes of the migration influx, highlighting that illegal immigration is compounded by political and social instability in neighboring countries. Minister Cachalia pointed to these “push and pull” factors, noting that some regional governments are currently failing to ensure the safety and wellbeing of their own citizens, thereby driving cross-border movement into South Africa.
Looking ahead, the South African government announced that it will soon submit a comprehensive report on its handling of undocumented immigrants to the African Union (AU) human rights commission, ensuring regional transparency and accountability in its migration management strategies.
