Wayne Lumbasi
South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs has announced plans to introduce a new policy that would require foreign governments to cover the costs of deporting their citizens who are found to be living in the country illegally.
The proposal, which is still under development, is part of the government’s broader efforts to strengthen immigration management and reduce the financial burden that deportations place on South African taxpayers.
According to Home Affairs officials, South Africa spends millions of rand each year on deportation-related activities, including the detention of undocumented migrants, transportation to border points or airports, administrative processing, and border security operations. Authorities say these costs have continued to rise as the number of undocumented migrants entering and remaining in the country has increased.
The department recently reported a significant increase in deportations over the past two years, with tens of thousands of undocumented migrants removed from the country. Officials argue that the growing expense of these operations has placed considerable pressure on public resources and that foreign governments should share responsibility for the repatriation of their nationals.
Under the proposed policy, countries whose citizens are deported from South Africa could receive bills covering some or all of the expenses incurred during the deportation process. The government believes the measure could encourage stronger cooperation between states on migration issues, including the verification of identities and the issuance of travel documents needed for deportations.
Home Affairs officials have emphasized that the proposal has not yet been implemented and remains under review. Key details, including how countries would be charged, the legal framework for enforcement, and whether bilateral agreements would be required, are still being developed.
The proposal comes amid increasing political debate over illegal immigration and border security in South Africa. Authorities have recently intensified efforts to combat undocumented migration through stricter enforcement measures, improved border controls, and the use of technology to monitor immigration compliance.
As discussions continue, the proposal is expected to spark debate both within South Africa and among neighboring countries whose citizens make up a significant share of undocumented migrants in the country. The government is expected to provide further details as the policy development process moves forward.
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