Video: 'Only 10 were legal' – South African immigration claims as first batch of 300 Ghanaians return home

Immigration officials at the OR Tambo International Airport have claimed that only 10 of the first 300 Ghanaians to present themselves for repatriation from South Africa were in the country legally.

The remaining 290 were found to be non-compliant with South African immigration law, a revelation that has added a new layer of complexity to the ongoing voluntary repatriation exercise.

Officials said enforcement action, including sanctions, would now be imposed on those violating the law.

“We obviously have to make sure that some of the restrictions are in place,” an immigration official said in an interview with eNCA.

The first group of returnees left South Africa on Wednesday. Over 800 Ghanaians are said to have so far registered with the Ghana High Commission in Pretoria for the voluntary repatriation programme.

The repatriation comes amid a broader national debate over the presence and documentation of foreign nationals in South Africa.

Immigration officials indicated that the legal status of all remaining registered returnees would continue to be investigated as more groups would be processed in the coming days.

An official said, “We found that many of them did not comply with South African immigration law. Certain violations were found and so we have to ensure that sanctions are enforced.”

More Ghanaian nationals are expected to be repatriated in the coming days.

Watch the video below;

The first group are Ghanaian citizens going back to their homes. They are boarding their flight at OR Tambo International Airport, after receiving a repatriation offer from their government. Of the 300 screened before departure, only 10 were in South Africa legally.… pic.twitter.com/5A88HVRcRX

– eNCA (@eNCA) 27 May 2026