Pretoria, South Africa — 2026-07-12 – In a stark illustration of South Africa’s immigration policies, Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi, chairperson of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Migration, revealed that over 80% of the 53,449 foreign nationals processed for deportation and repatriation are Malawian citizens.
The announcement was made during a briefing on Sunday, highlighting the significant presence of Malawian nationals among those being repatriated, followed by Zimbabweans and Mozambicans.
The figures reflect the heightened anti — foreigner sentiment in South Africa, which has led to a government crackdown on illegal immigration.
The intensified effort in border security and migration management systems has resulted in a surge in repatriations, with Malawian immigrants being the largest group affected.
The mass repatriation has raised concerns about the long — term strategy for managing migration and immigration in South Africa.
The government’s response to illegal immigration includes increasing immigration enforcement, tightening border security, and deporting those found to be in the country without legal permission.
As the country grapples with the implications of its immigration policies, questions remain regarding the measures being taken to address the root causes of illegal immigration and underlying xenophobia.
Additionally, there is uncertainty about the impact of mass repatriations on the communities in the countries to which these individuals are being returned, as well as the long — term strategy for managing migration and immigration in South Africa.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: enca
Source: Siya Tsewu
