99,325 undocumented foreign nationals moved out of South Africa, including 60,007 Malawians and 31,776 Zimbabweans

Minister of Home Affairs, Leon Schreiber, revealed that 99,325 undocumented foreign nationals have been assisted to depart South Africa.

He shared this information in response to a Parliamentary question by National Assembly member Joel Ngubane.

Ngubane asked Schreiber about the steps taken to deal with undocumented foreign nationals who remain stranded at Sherwood and other areas across South Africa.

He requested details about the number of undocumented foreign nationals who have been assisted to depart South Africa voluntarily since the Sherwood situation arose.

He also asked about the role the Border Management Authority (BMA) plays in facilitating their lawful departure or deportation.

Schreiber responded, explaining that the BMA records undocumented foreign nationals’ movements in the movement control system.

These records are based on the manifest supplied by the Department of Home Affairs and initiate the declaration of their undesirability.

The Minister said that the Department has implemented several measures since the displacement crisis started in June 2026.

The Department has intensified the deportation of undocumented foreign nationals despite the capacity constraints the department is facing.

“Compared with the past three financial years, the total number of deportations increased,” Schreiber said.

“The launch of Operation New Broom has drastically increased arrests and processing of undocumented illegal foreigners.”

He explained that over the past three financial years, the number of business inspections conducted for compliance has increased.

In the 2026 financial year, there were 10,766 business inspections conducted, compared to 3,105 in 2025 and 1,561 in 2024.

“We are also closing legal and policy gaps through the Revised White Paper on Citizenship, Immigration and Refugee Protection,” Schreiber said.

The Revised White Paper was approved by Cabinet in April 2026. The policy sets out a complete overhaul of the country’s migration and citizenship systems.

It is designed to clamp down on fraud and abuse, enhance national security, improve service delivery through digital transformation, and promote economic development.

The number of undocumented foreign nationals who have left South Africa since June 2026

Port of Entry & Nationality	Repatriated
Beitbridge – Malawi	60,007
Beitbridge – Zambia	117
Beitbridge – Zimbabwe	31,776
Ficksburgbridge – Lesotho	898
Lebombo – Malawi	67
Lebombo – Mozambique	2,303
Kosibay – Mozambique	114
ORTIA – Ghana	958
ORTIA – Nigeria	1,145
ORTIA – Kenya	358
ORTIA – Uganda	807
Maseru – Lesotho	575
Lanseria – Uganda	65
King Shaka	63
Vioolsdrift	72
Total	99,325