SA to Start Charging Countries for Deportation of Their Nationals Found in the Country Illegally —as South Africa Faces Mounting Costs of R60 Million a Year on Deportations By Road Through Beitbridge Border
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) has announced plans to start charging countries for the deportation of their nationals who have violated South Africa’s immigration laws. This comes as deportations and repatriations continue to rise amid ongoing protests and enforcement actions targeting undocumented foreign nationals.
Phiri said government intends to implement a cost-recovery system, stating: “Moving forward we will also be billing countries for their foreign nationals who have to be deported or who are in our criminal detention facilities and have to be deported back into their countries.” He added that the initiative will be pursued through DIRCO and the Department of Home Affairs.
This comes after reports that South Africa has deported more than 100 000 undocumented foreign nationals over the past two years, a process that has cost the state millions of rands. DIRCO spokesperson Chrispin Phiri said the growing number of repatriations shows that countries have the capacity to bring back their own citizens when required.
Officials further highlighted that deportations by road through the Beitbridge Border Post cost the state more than R60 million annually, while chartered flights for removals can reach up to R5 million per operation. The department says the new approach is aimed at reducing the financial burden on South Africa while strengthening international accountability.
Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, @Ojukwu_Bianca, says the government is considering punitive measures against South Africa over the alleged mistreatment of Nigerians in the country. Possible measures under consideration reportedly include the closure of South African businesses operating in Nigeria and the expulsion of South African nationals.