Home Affairs spent R341m on repatriations between June and August

The repatriation of Malawians from Sherwood in Durban to Musina during the anti-immigration protests three months ago.

Image: Leon Lestrade / Independent Newspapers

Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber told Parliament that the department spent R341 million on repatriations between June and August 2026, while 37 942 undocumented foreign nationals were detained and deported from January to August.

At least R122m was spend on detention of undocumented immigrants between January and May this year.

The overall amount incurred in reparations and detentions included the reimbursement of funds totalling more than R13m to eThekwini and City of Cape Town metros for transporting undocumented immigrants to Beitbridge in Musina at the height of anti-immigration projects three months ago.

This was revealed by Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber when he was responding to parliamentary questions from MK Party MP Siyabonga Mkhize, who asked about the expenditure associated with detention and repatriation of undocumented immigrants since the beginning of January 2026.

Mkhize had also asked about the total number of undocumented foreign nationals of each country of origin who were arrested and deported during the same period.

In his response, Schreiber explained that the arrests of foreign nationals were made by both the SAPS and the Department of Home Affairs.

He said the affected individuals were either sentenced or confirmed for detention and deportation following the judicial and court process.

“The Department of Home Affairs can only account for the number of undocumented foreign nationals detained and deported, and not arrests that were conducted by other law enforcement agencies.”

However, Schreiber said the total number of foreign nationals detained and deported by the Department of Home Affairs were 37,942 during the period between January 1, 2026 and August 31, 2026. 

“This excludes the vast numbers of people processed for repatriation,” he said.

Schreiber's response showed that at least a total of 12,407 Zimbabweans were deported during the same period, Malawians 10,725, Mozambicans 9,548 and Lesotho nationals 4,435.

Schreiber said his department did not incur any expenditure relating to the deportation during the period between January 1, 2026, and May 31, 2026.

He stated that Home Affairs spent R122m on the detention of the undocumented immigrants.

Schreiber also said the expenditure incurred on the repatriation came to the tune of R341m for the period between June 2026 and August 2026.

“It is important to note that the Department has reimbursed the Cities of eThekwini and Cape Town for the buses provided,” he said.

The minister’s response showed that eThekwini Metro was reimbursed for transportation of undocumented immigrants from Durban to Musina to the tune of R10.6m.

The City of Cape Town was refunded a total of R3.8m for transport and facilities that were erected at Epping.

Schreiber said the claim from the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure for the cost of establishing and maintaining the Musina Temporary Repatriation Processing Centre has not been received.

Other cost related to repatriation and deportation are as follows:

Schreiber clarified that the costs associated with repatriation were borne by the South African government. 

“Engagements with relevant countries are undertaken, where appropriate, to facilitate the identification, documentation and return of their nationals. Such cooperation does not necessarily provide for the reimbursement of the repatriation expenditure,” he said.