….repartriation operations is equivalent to about $18.5 million
South Africa is seeking reimbursement from Nigeria, Malawi and Ethiopia for the cost of repatriating their nationals as the country steps up enforcement against undocumented migration.
According to South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs, it written to the embassies in Nigeria, as well as Malawi and Ethiopia through the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), seeking reimbursement for almost R300 million, equivalent to about $18.5 million, on the repatriation operation, which has resulted in tens of thousands of foreign nationals being processed for return to their home countries.
As of August 6, Home Affairs had processed 82,875 foreign nationals through its repatriation centres, which excludes people repatriated before June 30 and those processed directly by the Border Management Authority.
Tommy Makhode, director-general of Home Affairs, told Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs that the department had spent R292 million on the operation, far exceeding its R60 million allocation for deportations.
