South Africa has deported or repatriated more than 53,000 foreign nationals since launching a nationwide migration management campaign five weeks ago, as authorities intensify efforts to enforce immigration laws following widespread anti-migrant protests.
Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi announced that 53,499 foreign nationals have been processed for deportation or repatriation, with most of those returned coming from Malawi, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. Officials expect the number to continue rising as enforcement operations remain underway.
The campaign follows weeks of anti-immigration demonstrations across South Africa, where protesters have demanded stricter border controls and the removal of undocumented migrants. Some protests have turned violent, with reports of intimidation, looting and attacks targeting foreign nationals.
Protest groups have accused undocumented migrants of contributing to unemployment, crime and pressure on public services. Activists also declared an unofficial deadline of June 30 for undocumented migrants to leave the country, prompting thousands of foreign nationals to depart voluntarily or seek government-assisted repatriation.
Several African governments, including Ghana, Nigeria, Uganda and Kenya, have organized evacuation flights and transport for citizens returning from South Africa amid growing security concerns.
Addressing a news conference in Pretoria, Kubayi said the government is committed to enforcing immigration laws while respecting the rights of everyone in the country.
“We are striving to achieve an orderly and regular migration which is mindful and sensitive to the concerns raised by our people, while observing human rights and dignity of all people in our country, irrespective of their citizenship and immigration status,” she said.
Kubayi added that immigration enforcement operations have also led to the arrest of individuals wanted by police for alleged criminal offences.
While defending the government’s migration campaign, she warned members of the public against conducting unauthorized searches of homes and businesses suspected of sheltering undocumented migrants, stressing that immigration enforcement remains the responsibility of state authorities.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has acknowledged growing public concerns over illegal immigration but has repeatedly condemned attacks on migrants and warned against vigilante action. He has urged citizens to allow law enforcement agencies to handle immigration matters through legal processes.
The United Nations has also cautioned against blaming migrants for South Africa’s economic and social challenges, warning that foreign nationals should not become scapegoats for issues such as unemployment and pressure on public services.
South Africa remains one of Africa’s largest economies and continues to attract migrants seeking employment and better economic opportunities, although many enter or remain in the country without legal documentation.