PRETORIA, Gauteng — South Africa repatriation and deportation costs have surged past R344 million in just three months, placing severe financial strain on the Department of Home Affairs and the Border Management Authority (BMA). Between June and August, the government expended R341 million through Home Affairs, alongside more than R3.6 million from an R11 million emergency allocation by the BMA. This expenditure far exceeds the approximately R60 million typically budgeted annually for such operations.
During a recent parliamentary briefing, Mosa Chabane, chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs, addressed the mounting financial challenges. Chabane confirmed that the expenditures were unforeseen and not originally budgeted, forcing the department to source funds from various programs within the fiscus. He emphasized that the department is actively engaging in diplomatic consultations with the respective member states to facilitate the reimbursement of costs incurred by the South African government.
The reported R341 million does not yet account for upcoming financial year liabilities. The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure is expected to add a bill of over R40 million for establishing repatriation sites, particularly in KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo, where logistical pressures were most acute. Additional expenses include staff overtime, the redeployment of personnel from across the country, and transportation. While countries like Zimbabwe and Malawi covered some transportation costs, such as buses, significant financial gaps remain. Consequently, both Home Affairs and the BMA are engaging with National Treasury to close this funding deficit without compromising other critical, already-adopted service programs.
This financial strain mirrors broader challenges in recouping state funds. A related briefing by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, which was postponed due to Minister Ronald Lamola’s unavailability, was slated to address over R1.4 billion owed to South Africa. This includes approximately R1 billion in South African Airways (SAA) ticket revenue currently stranded in Zimbabwe due to foreign exchange and liquidity constraints, with similar debts owed by Nigeria, Angola, and other nations.
Chabane assured that the Department of Home Affairs has committed to reimbursing the municipalities and provinces that assisted in the repatriation process. With approximately 90,000 individuals repatriated to date, the committee stressed that immigration laws must be strictly enforced across all fronts to manage the ongoing migration landscape effectively.
Looking ahead, the committee is advocating for the acceleration of the White Paper review on citizenship, immigration, and the protection of refugees. Once finalized by the Cabinet and tabled in Parliament, this legislation aims to strengthen border management and safeguard national security. Chabane also noted positive progress in bilateral discussions between the South African government and Zimbabwe regarding the transfer of prisoners, highlighting a collaborative regional approach to migration and legal enforcement.
