MUSINA, Limpopo — The ongoing repatriation of illegal immigrants at the Musina repatriation centre in Limpopo has officially surpassed 55,000 individuals nationwide, according to the Department of Home Affairs. Chief Director Albert Matsaung confirmed that while the voluntary return programme, which launched in June 2026, continues to operate effectively, the daily influx of illegal immigrants at the temporary facility remains highly variable.
Matsaung highlighted that the facility is no longer consistently processing thousands of individuals on a daily basis. For instance, recent weekend figures recorded 696 departures on a Sunday, followed by 707 the next day. However, midweek surges still occur, with recent morning estimates placing the number of illegal immigrants at the centre between 2,000 and 2,500. Countrywide, the interministerial committee noted that daily processing has stabilized, currently hovering in the range of 50 individuals per day. Since the initiative began on the 14th of last month, approximately 55,900 people have voluntarily stepped forward for repatriation across South Africa, with the Musina hub alone accounting for more than 34,000 of these cases.
The majority of those currently moving through the Musina system are citizens of Malawi, alongside smaller groups from Zimbabwe and Mozambique. Among the recent departures was 32-year-old Malawian national Moffat Hendrisonn, who emphasized that his departure is entirely voluntary. Previously employed as a bricklayer in Paarl, Western Cape, Hendrisonn explained that South Africa remains his best prospect for employment due to his lack of formal educational qualifications. He plans to secure proper travel documentation in his home country so he can eventually return to South Africa through legal channels. Hendrisonn pointed out the stark economic differences between the two nations, noting that the Malawian government primarily generates jobs for the educated, whereas South Africa offers labor opportunities for those relying on physical strength.
To assist vulnerable demographics during this transition, a non-governmental humanitarian organization has established a dedicated support system at the facility. This includes a specialized station exclusively for mothers and infants, which is restocked daily with baby formula, nutritional food, and essential hygiene packs.
In an unrelated incident, the Department of Home Affairs confirmed the passing of a 41-year-old Zimbabwean woman on Tuesday at the Beitbridge Port of Entry. Authorities explicitly stated that she was not among the illegal immigrants processed at the Musina repatriation centre. The woman had traveled directly to the border from Pietermaritzburg in KwaZulu-Natal, and officials are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding her death.