The South African government has processed over 53,000 foreign nationals through deportation or voluntary repatriation programs since mid-June 2026, according to Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi.The operation, which intensified immigration enforcement, resulted in 205 criminal cases, 350 arrests, and 69 ongoing investigations.Malawian nationals accounted for 80% of those repatriated, with significant numbers also from Zimbabwe and Mozambique.The government established a Temporary Repatriation Processing Centre (TRPC) in Musina, processing over 20,000 individuals in less than a week.

Kubayi emphasized that the country's laws are enforced to prevent it from becoming a safe haven for criminals, while ensuring repatriation processes remain efficient.Repatriations to non-SADC countries included returns to Kenya, Nigeria, the Republic of Congo, and Uganda.The government plans to scale down operations at the TRPC as daily repatriations declined, though immigration enforcement will continue.The initiative highlights ongoing challenges with immigration management and cross-border cooperation.