Between January and August 2026, the Department of Home Affairs detained and deported 37,942 undocumented foreign nationals while spending more than R463 million on detention and repatriation, Home Affairs Minister Dr Leon Schreiber disclosed in a parliamentary reply.
Home Affairs Detains Thousands as Enforcement Costs Reach R463 Million
The Department of Home Affairs accounted for 37,942 undocumented foreign nationals detained and deported during the first eight months of the year. Minister Dr Leon Schreiber released these numbers in response to parliamentary questions from MK Party MP Siyabonga Percival Mkhize, who requested data on undocumented foreign nationals arrested and deported since January and associated state expenditures. Schreiber noted that the department tracks only individuals processed directly by Home Affairs rather than initial arrests conducted by separate law enforcement agencies.
Combined detention and repatriation expenses reached approximately R463.9 million for the period. The department spent R122.68 million specifically on detention costs between January and August, with April recording the highest monthly bill at R45.2 million. Repatriation expenditure recorded between June and August totaled R341.22 million, driven largely by bus transport costs supplied by Atlantis, which accounted for R232.83 million of the total budget.
Zimbabwe, Malawi, Mozambique and Lesotho Account for Most Deportations
Citizens from four neighboring countries made up the vast majority of the 37,942 deportations recorded by the department. Zimbabwean nationals formed the largest group with 12,407 deportations, followed by 10,725 Malawians, 9,548 Mozambicans, and 4,435 people from Lesotho. Together, these four nations accounted for 37,115 of the total departures recorded.
Schreiber stated that these figures exclude vast numbers of additional individuals processed by Home Affairs for repatriation. State operations accelerated in June following a surge of undocumented foreign nationals seeking assistance at temporary sites, particularly in Durban amid heightened tensions surrounding illegal immigration.
Authorities Process Thousands for Deportation Through Musina Center
Between June 14 and August 20, authorities processed approximately 86,596 foreign nationals for deportation and repatriation through coordinated operations. The Musina Temporary Repatriation Processing Centre in Limpopo, opened in June to manage the influx, processed 48,948 people before shutting down in August.
Additional expenditures included R48 million for establishing and operating the Musina center through the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, though that department has not yet submitted its claim for the cost of establishing and maintaining the centre. The government also paid R10.66 million to the City of eThekwini and R3.8 million to the City of Cape Town for transport and facilities, alongside R8.76 million for chartered flights to the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Burundi. Schreiber confirmed that the department reimbursed both eThekwini and Cape Town for the buses they provided.
Government Carries Repatriation Costs Without Bilateral Reimbursement
The South African government continues to carry the financial burden of returning undocumented foreign nationals. The Department of Home Affairs confirmed that repatriation costs were borne by the South African government during the recent operations.
While the department engaged with relevant foreign governments to identify, document, and return their citizens, Schreiber noted that such cooperation did not result in those countries reimbursing South Africa for the expenses incurred.
Common Questions on the Deportation Figures
Which countries had the highest number of deportations between January and August 2026?
Zimbabwe recorded the highest total with 12,407 deportations, followed by Malawi with 10,725, Mozambique with 9,548, and Lesotho with 4,435.
What was the total cost of detention and repatriation for the period?
The Department of Home Affairs spent approximately R463.9 million, which included R122.68 million for detention and R341.22 million for repatriation expenses recorded between June and August.
How many people were processed at the Musina Temporary Repatriation Processing Centre?
The Musina facility processed 48,948 undocumented foreign nationals before closing in August.
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