The Department of Home Affairs has processed 586 Nigerian nationals for repatriation after they were found to be residing in South Africa illegally.
The first flight departed on Thursday, with 268 passengers. All individuals were issued emergency travel documents by the Nigerian High Commission.
A second flight is scheduled for Monday, June 15 to transport the remaining individuals.
Barred from re-entering SA for five years
Under the Immigration Act, each person has been declared an undesirable person and barred from re-entering South Africa for five years.
Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Leon Schreiber said the department is “irrevocably committed to enforcing South Africa’s immigration laws and restoring the rule of law,” noting that deportations and repatriations have increased by 46% over the past two years.
Several reforms
The minister also highlighted several reforms currently being rolled out to strengthen immigration management. These include the expansion of the Electronic Travel Authorisation system to capture biometric data for all foreign nationals entering the country. Another is the replacement of the fraud-prone green ID book with smart ID cards through partnerships with the banking sector.
In addition, Home Affairs is introducing a new digital identity system aimed at improving efficiency and reducing fraud, thereby enhancing the department’s overall capacity to enforce immigration laws.
Schreiber said these reforms form part of a broader agenda endorsed by President Cyril Ramaphosa to modernise the country’s identity and immigration systems.
Read more
Man appears in court after ‘assaulting’ cop during Mpumalanga march
‘Phakel’ umthakathi defamed me as Minister, not PAC leader’ – Mzwanele Nyhontso
- The Department of Home Affairs has processed 586 Nigerians for repatriation due to illegal residence in South Africa, with the first flight carrying 268 passengers and a second scheduled for June 15.
- All deportees have been declared undesirable and banned from re-entering South Africa for five years under the Immigration Act.
- Minister Dr. Leon Schreiber emphasized the department’s firm commitment to enforcing immigration laws, noting a 46% increase in deportations and repatriations over two years.
- Key reforms include expanding the Electronic Travel Authorisation system with biometric data, replacing green ID books with smart ID cards, and introducing a new digital identity system to reduce fraud and improve enforcement.
- These initiatives align with President Cyril Ramaphosa’s broader agenda to modernize South Africa’s identity and immigration systems, with a public reminder for foreign nationals to maintain valid visas.
