South Africa is seeking reimbursement from several African countries for the cost of repatriating thousands of their citizens as authorities intensify a crackdown on undocumented migration. The Department of Home Affairs told lawmakers that South Africa has spent nearly $18 million on transporting, accommodating and processing migrants who were deported or voluntarily returned to their home countries. Officials said written requests for reimbursement have been sent to Malawi, Ethiopia and Nigeria. The expenses included buses, temporary repatriation facilities and additional staff costs. Home Affairs Director-General Tommy Makhode described the expenditure as “unforeseen and unavoidable”, while some municipalities and government departments involved in the operations are seeking compensation from the national department.
Government figures show that 82,875 people have either been deported or voluntarily repatriated since the latest immigration crackdown began. However, figures supplied by some migrants’ home governments put the number of departures considerably higher, at about 178,000. Between April and July, 16,078 people were deported through the Lindela Repatriation Centre, with most coming from countries including Lesotho, Malawi, Tanzania, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. South African authorities have also reported nearly 60,000 arrests of undocumented migrants, including more than 16,000 in July alone. The crackdown comes amid heightened anti-immigration sentiment in South Africa. Community groups have accused undocumented migrants of taking jobs, contributing to crime and placing pressure on public services. Migrant communities and neighboring governments, however, have raised concerns about discrimination and attacks against foreign nationals.
The issue has also created diplomatic tensions across the continent. Some African governments have accused South Africa of failing to adequately protect their citizens, allegations Pretoria has rejected. Ghana recently sought to have the treatment of African migrants in South Africa discussed at an African Union meeting, but the proposal was not accepted. South Africa’s Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber has described the scale of recent deportations and repatriations as unprecedented. The government’s latest move to seek reimbursement could add another layer to already sensitive relations with neighboring and other African countries, as Pretoria attempts to balance tighter immigration enforcement with its regional diplomatic obligations.
