Courts & Legal
Home Affairs ramps up crackdown with 109,344 deportations
There has been a noticeable shift in how South Africa is dealing with undocumented immigration, and the numbers now tell a story that is hard to ignore.
Over the past two financial years, the Department of Home Affairs has deported 109,344 undocumented foreign nationals. It is not just the total that stands out. It is the pace. Officials say the increase marks a sharp escalation in enforcement since the formation of the Government of National Unity following the 2024 elections.
For many South Africans, immigration has long been one of those topics that lives in everyday conversation, from taxi rides to social media debates. Now, it is back in the spotlight, backed by hard figures and a much firmer tone from the government.
A sharp rise in enforcement
The jump did not happen overnight. It has been building steadily.
In the 2023 to 2024 financial year, deportations stood at 39,672. That figure climbed by 30 percent in the following year to 51,560. The most recent numbers show a further increase to 57,784 for 2025 to 2026.
Taken together, that is a 46 percent rise over two years.
Home Affairs says this reflects a more focused approach to immigration enforcement, driven by operations like Operation New Broom and the wider use of biometric verification tools.
Minister Dr Leon Schreiber has been clear about the message. Those who are in the country illegally are being urged to leave voluntarily or risk being banned from returning legally in future.
Technology steps in at the borders
What is different this time is not just the numbers. It is how enforcement is happening.
Authorities are increasingly relying on technology, from drones and body cameras to systems that track and verify identities through biometrics. There are also plans to expand the Electronic Travel Authorisation system, which aims to record biometric data for every foreign national entering the country.
On the ground, this shift is already being felt.
At some of South Africa’s busiest entry points, including Beitbridge, officials have reported a strong deterrent effect during peak travel periods like Easter. Thousands of people attempting to cross illegally were intercepted, highlighting both the scale of movement and the pressure on border systems.
The pressure on South Africa’s borders
South Africa shares borders with several countries, including Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Lesotho, and for years, these crossings have been strained.
Issues like ageing infrastructure, corruption, and porous borders have made enforcement difficult. Add to that the sheer volume of people moving through key ports of entry every day, and it becomes clear why authorities say the challenge is complex.
In just one 24-hour period recently, major entry points processed tens of thousands of travellers. OR Tambo International Airport alone handled around 25,000 people, while land borders like Lebombo and Beitbridge saw similarly high volumes.
Officials argue that South Africa is carrying a disproportionate burden when it comes to undocumented migration, with some neighbouring countries not committing enough resources to address the issue on their side.
A conversation that is not going away
Online, the reaction has been mixed.
Some South Africans see the crackdown as long overdue, especially in light of concerns around crime, jobs, and strained public services. Others have raised questions about how enforcement is carried out and whether the focus should also include better immigration systems and regional cooperation.
What is clear is that immigration is no longer a quiet policy issue. It is now front and centre, with visible action and measurable outcomes.
What happens next
Home Affairs says enforcement will continue to scale up, but it is also placing emphasis on modernisation and prevention.
The long-term goal appears to be a system that is not only stricter but also smarter, one that can detect and manage immigration flows in real time rather than reacting after the fact.
For now, the message from the government is direct. South Africa is tightening its grip on illegal immigration, and the numbers suggest it is only just getting started.
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Source: IOL
Featured Image: Business Tech
