Undocumented foreign nationals have been warned about entering South Africa illegally.
The Home Department has deported approximately 110,000 illegal immigrants from South Africa to their home countries in the last two financial years.
The department said the deportations marked a sharp increase in annual deportations since the formation of the Government of National Unity (GNU).
“This significant increase in law enforcement against immigration violations reflects the commitment of the Home Department and our partners in law enforcement to restore the rule of law,” said Andre Gaume, acting spokesman for Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreibers.
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According to the department, during the first year of the current administration, the number of deportations increased by 30%, from 39 672 in 2023/24 to 51 560 in 2024/25.
This is followed by an annual increase of 12% to 57 784 in 2025/26. Over the past two financial years, deportations have increased by a cumulative 46%, totaling 109 344 by 31 March 2026.
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Schreiber said South Africa is cracking down on illegal immigrants entering the country.
“These numbers show that we are now reaping the fruits of reforms focused on greater efficiency and intensified enforcement against immigration violators.
“Through ongoing campaigns like Operation New Broom, as well as increased use of biometric verification tools, we have already increased deportations by 46%.”
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Schreiber warned citizens of other countries entering South Africa illegally.
Schreiber said, “Our message is clear: If you are in South Africa illegally, self-deport before we find you and you are banned from entering the country legally in the future.”
“While enforcement efforts are clearly bearing fruit and growing each year, we are equally focused on deterrence and modernization.”
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Schreiber said the deployment of drone and body camera technology has already made a difference.
“While the imminent expansion of the Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) system will record biometrics for every foreigner who enters our country, it will also dramatically increase our ability to detect and arrest anyone who is in South Africa illegally.”
undocumented migrant
Undocumented migrants are a ticking time bomb for the government, which has its fingers pointed at the ANCAccording to experts and politicians, that allowed it to happen and continues to ignore it.
Buhle Ndoda, a researcher, academic and co-founder of the GiveHope Foundation, said the continued influx of undocumented people is creating what researchers call “surplus populations,” meaning groups of people the state doesn't know about and can't provide resources to.
This puts pressure on jobs, social services and opportunities and has a direct impact on local people.
In places like Johannesburg and Pretoria, foreigners have declared certain “no-go” areas for locals, because they consider those areas their territory.
Additional reporting by Eric Mathobeli Naki
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