Full Breakdown
South Africa Seeks Reimbursement for $18 Million Migrant Repatriation Bill
8/13/2026, 4:17:08 AM
Background & Context
In June 2026 anti-illegal-immigration protests erupted across South Africa, prompting a large-scale repatriation effort. The Department of Home Affairs processed tens of thousands of foreign nationals for voluntary return or deportation. The operation was described by Home Affairs minister Leon Schreiber as “unprecedented” and followed a series of attacks on foreign nationals and heightened diplomatic tension with several African states.
Data & Statistics
- Total cost: nearly R292 million (? $18 million) for transport, temporary centres, and overtime.
- Transport expense: R203.5 million for buses procured through a travel agency.
- Public-works expense: R48 million for the Musina temporary centre.
- Funding gap: the department’s annual allocation for deportations is R60 million.
- People processed: 82,875 foreign nationals recorded by Home Affairs as of 6 August 2026; the Border Management Authority (BMA) reported 89,936 repatriated through ports of entry by 7 August 2026.
- National breakdown (BMA): about 54,000 Malawians, ~27,000 Zimbabweans, and a smaller share of Mozambicans.
Official Statements & Responses
Home Affairs director-general Tommy Makhode briefed Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on 11 August 2026, stating the operation was “unforeseen and unavoidable” and that the department had not budgeted for it. He confirmed written requests for reimbursement had been sent to the governments of Malawi, Nigeria and Ethiopia through the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO).
International Relations minister Ronald Lamola told the Southern African Development Community council of ministers that migration challenges must be addressed within an “orderby lawful framework” and called on regional partners to sign the protocol on free movement of people.
Criticism & Opposition
Several African governments have voiced concern over the treatment of their citizens. Ghana urged the African Union to place the South African situation on its agenda, a proposal the AU executive council rejected. Nigeria and Ethiopia have similarly expressed diplomatic displeasure, accusing Pretoria of failing to protect their nationals during the anti-foreigner violence.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Number of migrants: Home Affairs cites 82,875 processed, while governments of migrants’ home countries estimate the total at about 178,000.
- Repatriation counts: The BMA’s 89,936 figure differs from Home Affairs’ 82,875, reflecting different counting methods—BMA includes all persons who passed through ports of entry, Home Affairs counts only those processed through its centres.
- Voluntary vs. forced returns: Sources do not provide a clear split, leaving uncertainty about how many migrants left voluntarily versus under deportation orders.
Verbatim Quote
These statements capture the department’s characterization of the repatriation cost as an “unfunded mandate” and its formal request for reimbursement from the three target governments.
