South Africa is seeking reimbursement from Nigeria, Malawi and Ethiopia for the cost of repatriating their nationals as the country steps up enforcement against undocumented migration.

According to South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs, it written to the embassies in Nigeria, as well as Malawi and Ethiopia through the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), seeking reimbursement for almost R300 million, equivalent to about $18.5 million, on the repatriation operation, which has resulted in tens of thousands of foreign nationals being processed for return to their home countries.

As of August 6, Home Affairs had processed 82,875 foreign nationals through its repatriation centres, which excludes people repatriated before June 30 and those processed directly by the Border Management Authority.

Tommy Makhode, director-general of Home Affairs, told Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs that the department had spent R292 million on the operation, far exceeding its R60 million allocation for deportations.

The scale of the operation has increased pressure on South Africa’s immigration enforcement budget as the government seeks to tighten controls over undocumented migration.

Transport accounted for the largest share of the expenditure as authorities moved undocumented migrants to repatriation centres and border point.

Malawians accounted for the largest group of people returning or being deported, followed by nationals from Zimbabwe and Mozambique.

South African authorities have also continued deportations through the Lindela Repatriation Centre. Home Affairs said 44,607 foreign nationals were deported from Lindela during the previous financial year, while another 16,078 were deported between April 20 and July 28 this year.

The repatriation programme followed a surge in anti-immigrant protests across South Africa, with several African governments organising voluntary returns for their citizens amid concerns over their safety.

The move places the financial implications of South Africa’s tougher immigration enforcement within a broader regional debate over responsibility for undocumented migration and the cost of returning foreign nationals.

Pretoria is now awaiting responses from the three governments as it seeks to recover part of the R292 million already spent on the repatriation operation. (BusinessDay)