South African authorities have intensified border control efforts after detaining over 4,200 undocumented foreign nationals attempting to enter the country outside official checkpoints. These actions aim to strengthen compliance with immigration laws and address issues of illegal border crossing.
More than 4,200 undocumented foreigners were intercepted between April and July, indicating persistent gaps in border control despite nearly 90,000 people being repatriated.
Commissioner of the Border Management Authority (BMA), Dr. Michael Masiapato, informed Parliament that 4,229 undocumented individuals were detained between April 1 and July 31. The majority were found along the northern corridor bordering Zimbabwe, and subsequently in areas bordering Lesotho and Mozambique.
The BMA conducted 318 multi-sector joint operations, resulting in approximately 760 arrests, including individuals accused of assisting people in illegally entering South Africa. Furthermore, border control law enforcement operations processed just under 10,000 deportations.
By August 7, the BMA had registered 89,936 repatriation cases. Among those repatriated, Malawians accounted for the largest number (54,474 people), followed by Zimbabweans (27,920 people) and Mozambicans (2,303 people). Additionally, 1,145 Nigerians, 958 Ghanaians, 807 Ugandans, and 358 Kenyans were repatriated. Repatriations of Malawians and Zimbabweans primarily occurred through the Beitbridge corridor, while other nationalities were processed at O.R. Tambo International Airport.
The Ministry of Home Affairs reported that 82,875 people were processed under the repatriation and deportation program by the end of the working day on August 6. Ongoing detentions have prompted authorities to tighten measures against illegal entry and the return of those who have already been expelled.
The BMA has implemented a counter-return plan that includes enhanced border patrolling, checkpoints, and roadblocks, as well as increased immigration control at entry points. Individuals who have been deported or repatriated are also placed on the entry ban list and visa stop list (V-list), which imposes immigration restrictions on them.
At land points, officials have intensified checks, refusing entry to 12,100 people over the three-month period. Masiapato noted that officers verify whether travelers can provide a clear address in South Africa, demonstrate sufficient funds, and explain the purpose of their visit.
South Africa declared that it remains stable and that the rule of law prevails, despite protests related to immigration and other security challenges. This statement was made by Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili, who co-chairs the National Joint Operations and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS), during a press conference held in Pretoria.
Mosikili detailed that, in July alone, 16,208 undocumented foreigners were detained. These arrests are part of daily operations taking place in the country's nine provinces and target wanted suspects, illegal weapons, drugs, organized crime, dangerous criminals, and undocumented individuals.
Additionally, authorities reported a total of 77,184 repatriations of foreigners processed up to August 3rd. This number is still considerably lower compared to the amount of returns reported by governments of various African countries from which these migrants originate.
Specifically, data released last week by the Government of Zimbabwe indicated that only those repatriated from this country exceed the mark of 115,000.
Although tension persists in South Africa due to demonstrations organized by anti-immigration groups, NATJOINS informed that such protests have substantially decreased since the major demonstration on June 30th. On that date, organizers had set a deadline for undocumented individuals to leave the national territory.
Mosikili stressed that the provinces of Gauteng (north), Mpumalanga (northeast), and KwaZulu-Natal (east) continue to register protests, but these are described as 'isolated and localized,' with most being 'peaceful and within the law.'
The lieutenant general also warned about the spread of fake news on social media, pointing out that several videos are incorrectly linking certain crimes to irregular immigration. She emphasized that no one should take justice into their own hands, ensuring that operations will follow a 'legal and humane' course and be consistent with the South African Constitution, while security in border areas has been reinforced.
In recent months, tension in South Africa has intensified, marked by a wave of xenophobic attacks and protests that, initially focused on illegal immigration, frequently devolved into indiscriminate violence against African migrants.
Organizers of these movements attribute the country's economic problems, poor public service delivery, and high crime rates to migrants, going so far as to prevent these individuals from accessing health and education services in public facilities.
This escalation of tension has prompted countries such as Malawi, Ghana, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Uganda, and Mozambique to repatriate tens of thousands of their citizens in recent weeks. Xenophobic tensions constitute a recurring problem in South Africa, generating episodes of violence on various occasions, particularly in neighborhoods considered more vulnerable.
