South Africa Seeks Reimbursement for Migrant Deportation Costs

South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs has formally asked Malawi, Nigeria and Ethiopia to reimburse a portion of the money spent on deporting undocumented migrants this year. The request follows written demands sent by the foreign ministry through the Department of International Relations and Cooperation. The reimbursement claim covers expenses such as chartered buses, temporary repatriation centres and overtime pay for staff involved in processing returnees.

South Africa seeks reimbursement from African countries for migrant repatriations

The reimbursement drive comes amid a surge in anti-illegal-migration protests and a broader crackdown on undocumented entrants. Since the start of the migration tensions, South Africa’s Home Affairs department reports that 82,875 people have either been voluntarily repatriated or forcibly deported, while governments of the migrants’ home countries estimate the total at roughly 178,000. Between April and July, 16,078 nationals—primarily from Lesotho, Malawi, Tanzania, Zimbabwe and Mozambique—were processed through the Lindela Repatriation Centre in Johannesburg. Law-enforcement officials say they have arrested nearly 60,000 illegal entrants, including 16,208 in July alone.

South Africa seeks reimbursement from African countries for migrant repatriations South Africa wants Malawi to pay deportation costs

The government says it has spent about R292 million on deportations, far exceeding the R60 million budgeted for the operation. Transport costs dominate the outlay, and a temporary facility in Musina incurred an additional R48 million expense. In July, lawmakers noted that the cost per processed individual exceeded R1.3 million. The Home Affairs department also cited nearly $18 million in expenses for accommodating and transporting migrants who chose to return voluntarily.

South Africa wants Malawi to pay deportation costs

Home Affairs minister Leon Schreiber described the recent wave of repatriations and deportations as “unprecedented,” emphasizing the strain on departmental resources. Director-General Tommy Makhode called the expenses “unforeseen and unavoidable” and highlighted the need for reimbursement to offset the budget shortfall. Some municipalities and government departments that participated in the repatriations have also demanded compensation from Home Affairs, arguing that the costs were not included in their own budgets.

South Africa seeks reimbursement from African countries for migrant repatriations

• “We have not budgeted for this… So to date, this is what we’ve spent: R292 million,” — Tommy Makhode

South Africa wants Malawi to pay deportation costs

These statements underscore the fiscal pressure the South African government faces as it seeks to balance immigration enforcement with budgetary constraints.

South Africa seeks reimbursement from African countries for migrant repatriations