Thokozile Mnguni
The Department of Home Affairs has repatriated 586 Nigerian nationals after they were found to be living in South Africa illegally.
The first flight departed this morning from OR Tambo International Airport carrying 268 passengers.
The Department said all those processed for repatriation were issued with Emergency Travel Documents by the Nigerian High Commission, enabling their return to Nigeria.
In terms of the Immigration Act, the individuals have been declared undesirable persons and are prohibited from re-entering South Africa for a period of five years.
Department of Home Affairs spokesperson and Deputy Director-General for Operations, Thulani Mavuso, thanked the Nigerian High Commission for its cooperation throughout the process.
“A second flight, which will transport the remaining individuals from the group of 586 processed for repatriation, is scheduled to depart on Monday, 15 June 2026,” Mavuso said.
The Department urged all foreign nationals living in South Africa to ensure that they hold valid visas or permits.
“Foreign nationals must ensure that their immigration status remains compliant with South African immigration laws at all times and to regularise their stay,” Mavuso added.
Home Affairs Minister Dr Leon Schreiber said government remains committed to enforcing the country’s immigration laws.
“Home Affairs is irrevocably committed to enforcing South Africa’s immigration laws and restoring the rule of law. Our ongoing orderly and lawful deportations and repatriations, which have increased by 46% over the past two years, are clear evidence of this,” Schreiber said.
He said ongoing reforms were improving border management and identity verification systems.
“Our reform agenda, as recently affirmed by President Cyril Ramaphosa, includes the scale-up of the Electronic Travel Authorisation to record biometrics for every foreigner entering our country,” he said.
He added that the replacement of the Green ID Book with Smart ID cards is continuing through digital partnerships with banks.
Schreiber also said a new Digital Identity system is being introduced to strengthen immigration enforcement.
He further urged the public not to engage in violence or take the law into their own hands.