PRETORIA, Gauteng — In a major update on South Africa immigration enforcement, the government has confirmed that over 53,000 foreign nationals have been processed for repatriation and deportation as of mid-July 2026. The Inter-Ministerial Committee on Migration revealed the latest figures during a media briefing in Pretoria, highlighting the scale of the country’s structured and lawful approach to managing undocumented migration.
As of the close of business on July 11, 2026, exactly 53,449 individuals have undergone official processing. Demographic data presented by the committee indicates that Malawian citizens account for at least 80 percent of this total, with Zimbabwean and Mozambican nationals forming the next largest groups.
This enforcement milestone follows the “March and March” movement, which coordinated rolling mass actions calling for undocumented foreign nationals to exit the country by the end of June. Authorities reported that out of at least 120 organized marches, 108 were completed entirely without incident. Consequently, thousands of undocumented individuals have either departed the country voluntarily or been formally processed for deportation.
While the majority of returns are occurring within the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the committee detailed that 2,615 repatriations involved destinations beyond the regional bloc. This contingent includes 939 individuals returned to Uganda, 431 to Kenya, 159 Nigerian nationals, and 86 to the Republic of Congo.
Addressing public conduct, the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Migration issued a firm directive against civilian-led, door-to-door searches for undocumented immigrants. Spokespersons stressed that vigilante activities are strictly unacceptable, emphasizing that the exclusive responsibility and legal authority for enforcing national laws rests with the state.
The government also pushed back against international criticism regarding Pretoria’s rigorous application of its immigration statutes. Officials underscored South Africa’s status as a sovereign republic, asserting that no foreign state or citizen has the right to dictate how the nation drafts or enforces its domestic laws. Representatives noted that this sovereign right was hard-fought and must be respected globally.
Delving into the root causes of the migration surge, the committee noted that illegal immigration is heavily exacerbated by instability in neighboring regions. Minister Cachalia specifically highlighted these “push and pull” dynamics, pointing out that certain governments are currently struggling to protect their own populations and ensure their wellbeing, thereby driving cross-border displacement into South Africa.
To ensure regional transparency and accountability, the South African government announced it will soon submit a comprehensive report detailing its management of undocumented immigrants to the African Union (AU) human rights commission.