Over 80% of Deported Foreign Nationals in South Africa Are Malawian — Kubayi
South Africa's Minister of Home Affairs, Aaron Motsoaledi, confirmed that more than 80% of the over 50,000 foreign nationals repatriated or deported recently were from Malawi, followed by Zimbabweans and Mozambicans.
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More than 80% of foreign nationals deported from South Africa in the recent repatriation drive were Malawian, according to Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi. He provided the figure during a public briefing on immigration enforcement operations.
Over 50,000 foreign nationals have been repatriated or deported, with Malawians constituting the largest group. Zimbabweans and Mozambicans made up the next largest contingents, Motsoaledi said. The data reflects intensified immigration enforcement at land borders and urban checkpoints.
The minister clarified that the South African government is not funding voluntary departure programs, contrary to speculation. "We are not paying people to leave," Motsoaledi stated, emphasizing that repatriations are conducted in line with immigration law and bilateral agreements.
Malawian nationals have increasingly featured in South Africa’s deportation statistics in recent years, though the reasons for their high representation remain unexplained in official statements. The Citizen reported that the figures were part of a broader update on border management and illegal stayer processing.
According to eNCA, Motsoaledi stressed that all deportations followed due process, with affected individuals given opportunities to regularize their status before removal. The department continues to process undocumented migrants across several provinces, particularly Gauteng and Limpopo.