More than 86,000 foreign nationals have been processed for deportation and repatriation between 14 June and 20 August in South Africa.

Minister of Justice, Mmamoloko Kubayi, stated this while giving update on the government’s migration process at a media briefing organised by the Border Management Agency on Monday.

“Between 14 June and 20 August 2026, a total of 86,596 nationals were processed for deportation and repatriation through coordinated law enforcement operations,” the minister said.

Ms Kubayi, who heads the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Migration, noted that Malawians had continued to make up the largest group, followed by Zimbabweans and Mozambicans.

The minister explained that most interceptions occured along the northern corridor around Zimbabwe and areas bordering Lesotho and Mozambique.

“Malawians continued to constitute the biggest population followed by the Zimbabweans and Mozambicans. Data indicates that 90 percent of repatriated foreigners entered the country illegally, with 95% classified as border jumpers.

“Between April and July, 2026, more than 4200 undocumented foreign nationals were intercepted attempting to enter South Africa outside former ports of entry,” the minister added.

Ms Kubayi noted that the Temporary Repatriation Processing Centre (TRPC) in Musina had been shut down, adding it recorded lowest number of repatriations in August.

“The repatriation operations at the TRPC were shut down on 21 August 2026, and the centre has been decommissioned. This heralds the return to normal immigration law enforcement operations,” the official stated.

The development came as South Africa approved the construction of secure fencing lines across its borderline to address border jumping.

The country had also procured drones for use in its border defence operations, especially in its borders with Lesotho, Zimbabwe and Malawi.

The minister said the efforts would go along way in monitoring the people working at the borders.

She added that Department of Home Affairs would continue to work with countries requiring assistance with the repatriation of their citizens.

Deportation of illegal migrants from South Africa came amid xenophobic and anti-immigration tensions, forcing countries, including Nigeria, Uganda, Malawi and others to evacuate their nationals to ensure their safety.