South Africa's R292 million spent on repatriation of foreign nationals amid migration tensions

The government has spent R292 million on the repatriation of foreign nationals since President Cyril Ramaphosa unveiled his five-point plan to tackle illegal migration, with Home Affairs now seeking reimbursement from Malawi, Nigeria and Ethiopia.

South Africa has spent R292 million on repatriating foreign nationals as part of President Cyril Ramaphosa's five-point plan to manage illegal migration, with the Home Affairs Department seeking reimbursement from Malawi, Nigeria, and Ethiopia.

Home Affairs Director-General Tommy Makhode told the Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs on Tuesday that the department had written to the Malawian government and the embassies of Nigeria and Ethiopia through the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco), requesting that they reimburse the costs.

“We have also written to the government of Malawi, and of course the embassies of Nigeria and Ethiopia, requesting a reimbursement of this cost through the Department of DIRCO,” Makhode said.

He said the department was awaiting responses from the respective governments.