South African Police Detain 8,896 Foreigners in 14 Days

South African authorities reported that 53,449 foreign nationals were processed for deportation and repatriation as part of intensified measures to combat illegal migration.

Migration Management Plan

The Chairperson of the Interdepartmental Committee on Migration, Mmamoloko Kubayi, announced that this figure was reached by the end of the working day on July 11, 2026. These figures were presented during a media briefing on the government's progress in implementing President Cyril Ramaphosa's five-point plan for migration management, which was announced on June 7.

The strategy involves tightening compliance with immigration laws, strengthening South Africa's borders, optimizing the migration system, addressing gaps in current policy, and cooperating with neighboring states.

Reaction to Protests and Warnings

This briefing took place following recent protests against illegal immigration in several provinces, where demonstrators demanded stricter border control and mass deportations. Although Kubayi acknowledged the validity of many South Africans' concerns regarding employment, service provision, and public safety, she emphasized that these issues must be resolved through legal channels.

Kubayi stated that in implementing the plan, they aim to ensure orderly and regular migration that considers public concerns while preserving human rights and the dignity of all people in the country, regardless of their citizenship or migration status.

Warning Against Vigilantism

The Minister issued a stern warning against private citizen groups conducting unauthorized searches of homes and businesses suspected of harboring undocumented individuals. Kubayi noted that media reports, both domestic and international, indicate the existence of such protesting groups.

She stressed that the state's law enforcement agencies bear the exclusive responsibility for immigration control, border management, and deportations. No individual or group is permitted to use force independently or threaten anyone for the purpose of illegal removal from the community. Law enforcement agencies will not hesitate to take action against those who continue to conduct such illegal checks and searches.

Identification of High-Profile Criminal

Furthermore, Kubayi highlighted the recent high-profile arrest of Mkhanisi Ndodana Tshuma, a fugitive sought in the UK on charges of murdering his wife and two children. Tshuma arrived at O.R. Tambo International Airport from Britain on July 5 and was detained in Kensington, Johannesburg, after receiving an alert from Interpol.

Despite British authorities not noting Tshuma's departure, a multi-disciplinary team of South African law enforcement managed to locate him. Kubayi expressed gratitude to the SAPS and Interpol for the arrest, adding that Tshuma would be extradited to the UK after the signing of an official request.

Distinction Between Deportation and Repatriation

To clarify common misunderstandings, Kubayi explained the legal differences between the two main return mechanisms used by the state. Repatriation is a voluntary return to the country of origin, strictly regulated by international law, including the 1951 UN Convention. The government provided assistance in this process after Malawi faced a shortage of funds for repatriation buses starting on June 14.

Deportation is a formal, legal judicial process under Section 34 of the Immigration Act, through which the government removes non-citizens who have violated South African laws.

Return Statistics

Malawian citizens accounted for over 80% of the total number of processed individuals among the 53,449, followed by citizens of Zimbabwe and Mozambique. Repatriations to countries outside SADC (Southern African Development Community) totaled 2,615 people, including 1,159 returned to Nigeria, 939 to Uganda, 431 to Kenya, and 86 to the Republic of Congo.

Parallel to the repatriation assistance program, standard immigration deportations continued. Between April 1 and June 30, 15,398 deportations were conducted, supported by 2,519 joint law enforcement operations. In June, 4,898 deportations were registered from Malawi (1,929), Zimbabwe (1,384), Mozambique (1,200), and Lesotho (342).

Between June 14 and July 8, 2,801 deportations were carried out within the expanded period of heightened control. Kubayi concluded her address by stating that South Africa remains committed to enforcing immigration laws, strengthening border management, protecting communities, combating crime, and upholding the dignity and rights of all people. She urged the public to report criminal activity directly to the police instead of acting as vigilantes and asked communities to stop spreading unverified information online that could provoke violence or social unrest.

According to a statement issued by the Kenyan Ministry of Diaspora Affairs, cited by EFE, Minister Roseline Njogu received the 60 Kenyan citizens who were brought back to the country on Friday evening. Before reuniting with their families, these individuals received psychosocial support.

Recognition and Repatriation Operations

The Government of Kenya expressed its deep gratitude to the Kenyan community residing in South Africa, specifically the Kenya Diaspora Association in South Africa (KEDASA), and its leadership. This gratitude is directed for maintaining peace and cooperating with local authorities and consular teams during the withdrawal process.

The government document also clarified that the repatriation activities would be finalized on Thursday, July 9, departing from Johannesburg. Furthermore, an appeal was made to all citizens wishing to return to Kenya to register at the Pretoria embassy by July 7, as only registered individuals would be eligible for the final flight.

Assistance and Protests in South Africa

In total, at least 240 Kenyans registered at the embassy to receive assistance, which included provision of food, safe temporary shelter, essential items, and specialized support for vulnerable groups.

Thousands of people took to the streets of South Africa the previous Tuesday in demonstrations organized by anti-immigration groups. These groups set this date as a deadline for undocumented immigrants from other African nations to leave the national territory.

Consequences of the Demonstrations

South African police confirmed one death during looting that occurred parallel to the protests. However, the South African Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mmamoloko Kubayi, assured that there were no recorded fatalities during the day of the demonstrations, which resulted in more than 900 arrests.

The organizers of these protests attribute the country's economic problems, poor quality of public services, or high crime rates to migrants. They also attempted to block migrants' access to medical care and education in public facilities.

Regional Context of Xenophobia

Given this situation, several countries, including Zimbabwe, Ghana, Nigeria, Uganda, Kenya, Mozambique, and Malawi, have already sent hundreds of their nationals back to their countries of origin due to fear of xenophobic attacks.

For its part, the South African government condemned such attacks, although it reaffirmed its right to monitor irregular immigration.

Zimbabwe Situation

The Government of Zimbabwe informed on Friday that more than 56,000 Zimbabwean citizens residing in neighboring South Africa have returned to their country since the end of May, motivated by the wave of xenophobic violence and anti-immigration protests in South Africa.

Joshua Chibundu, regional immigration officer for the Southern Region, released local data indicating that at least 47,252 people returned on their own, while another 9,221 received direct assistance from Zimbabwean authorities.

Xenophobic tensions against African migrants constitute a persistent problem in South Africa, provoking waves of violent protests, particularly in more vulnerable areas. The most severe peak of xenophobia recorded in the country occurred in 2008, when more than 60 people died, with the most serious recent incidents occurring at the end of 2019, with the death of at least 18 foreigners.

A new statement issued by the Mozambique Information Office (Gabingo) reported on the return of more Mozambican citizens to their country due to violence directed at immigrants in South Africa. The arrival of another 65 nationals was expected by the end of the day, including 14 from Witbank, in the Mpumalanga province, as part of ongoing support and repatriation operations.

Situation in different provinces

Local authorities in the Western Cape province notified the Mozambique consulate in Cape Town about the presence of 48 Mozambican citizens, including four children, who expressed the intention to return to the country. Gabinfo also confirmed that citizens continue to be received at the Mozambique High Commission in Pretoria, covering those from Johannesburg, Pretoria, Gauteng, and other areas.

Assistance and challenges faced

Gabinfo detailed that the assistance and repatriation process continues for Mozambican citizens affected by acts of intimidation and violence in various provinces of the Republic of South Africa. In Gauteng, a Mozambican citizen who gave birth at the High Commission facilities was discharged with the newborn in good health, under the supervision of the authorities.

The institution also reported the persistence of vulnerability cases, where Mozambican citizens lost housing or were evicted from their workplaces due to increased persecution and migration inspection operations.

Government response and crisis context

Incidents of aggression against foreigners prompted the Mozambican Government to intensify both consular assistance and repatriation operations, maintaining constant monitoring through diplomatic and consular representations in South Africa. Anti-immigrant South African protesters imposed a deadline of June 30 for all foreigners to leave the country, while the South African government had announced restrictions on migration policies and enhanced security.

The Mozambican President, Daniel Chapo, acknowledged on Wednesday the worsening of xenophobia in South Africa, resulting from violent incidents involving Mozambicans, and assured that logistical means were available for the reception and repatriation of victims. The Government of Mozambique disclosed that, in the latest wave of xenophobic attacks, at least 283 Mozambicans suffered assaults, had their residences burned, and property vandalized. The following day, the Mozambican President reported that 38 Mozambican citizens legally residing in South Africa were assaulted and expelled from their homes.

It is currently estimated that Mozambique has about 300,000 citizens residing in South Africa, and the Presidency communicated that thousands have already returned to the country due to the violence.