By : Lloyd Mahachi

South Africa’s government has spent a whopping R52.8 million (US$2.9 million) on deporting illegal immigrants between April and August this year. According to Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber, 19,750 undocumented immigrants were sent back to their countries of origin during this period, a significant increase from the 10,808 deportations in 2022/23.

The top five countries of origin for deported individuals in 2022/23 were Zimbabwe, Malawi, Tanzania, Nigeria, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Additionally, 95 Libyans were deported in August alone after being arrested in White River, Mpumalanga.

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party has raised concerns about the large sum spent on deportations. EFF MP Thapelo Mogale questioned the wisdom of spending so much on deportations, suggesting that the funds could be better utilized to strengthen border management and prevent unauthorized entries of foreigners.

Mogale proposed documenting immigrants as a more practical approach, allowing authorities to identify undesirable individuals, such as those with criminal records or fugitives. This approach could potentially reduce the need for costly deportations. The debate surrounding South Africa’s immigration policies and expenditure on deportations continues, with many calling for more effective and sustainable solutions.

The government’s deportation strategy has sparked controversy, with some arguing that it is ineffective and wasteful. As the discussion unfolds, South Africans are left wondering whether the country’s immigration policies require a drastic overhaul to address the complex issues surrounding undocumented immigrants.

Editor : Josephine Mahachi