{
  "id": 11102917,
  "title": "SA’s deportation drive: 37,942 sent home at a R463million cost",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/sas-deportation-drive-37-942-sent-home-at-a-r463million-cost",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-01T04:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "IOL",
    "slug": "iol",
    "url": "https://iol.co.za/news/politics/2026-10-01-sas-deportation-drive-37942-sent-home-at-a-r463million-cost/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In the first half of 2026, South Africa's Department of Home Affairs detained and deported a staggering 37,942 undocumented foreign nationals, spending more than R463 million on the process. Minister Dr Leon Schreiber revealed these figures to MK Party MP Siyabonga Percival Mkhize, who had inquired about the numbers and associated costs. The Home Affairs Department only tracks the number of undocumented nationals detained and deported, not arrests made by other law enforcement agencies. Zimbabwe, Malawi, Mozambique, and Lesotho accounted for the majority of the 37,115 deportations, with Zimbabweans making up 12,407, followed by Malawians (10,725), Mozambicans (9,548), and Lesothans (4,435). The government ramped up its repatriation efforts in June due to a surge of undocumented individuals seeking help at temporary sites, especially in Durban. From June to August, 86,596 foreign nationals were processed for deportation and repatriation through joint law enforcement operations. A temporary processing center in Musina handled 48,948 people before closing in August. The department spent R122.68 million on detention during this period, with the highest monthly cost in April at R45.2 million, followed by May (R17.66 million) and February (R11.6 million). Repatriation expenses only began in June, totaling R341.22 million by the end of August. The biggest repatriation cost was R232.83 million for buses provided by Atlantis. The department also paid R48 million for the Musina processing center and R10.66 million to the City of eThekwini for transport. Other expenditures included R3.8 million for transport and facilities in Cape Town, R8.76 million for chartered flights to several African countries, R9.56 million for accommodation in Durban and Musina, and R14.55 million for travel and subsistence.",
  "summary": "Home Affairs detained and deported 37,942 undocumented foreign nationals between January and August, with government spending R463.9 million on detention and repatriation during the period.",
  "key_points": [
    "37,942 undocumented foreigners deported in first half of 2026",
    "Zimbabwe, Malawi, Mozambique, Lesotho accounted for most deportations",
    "Government increased repatriation efforts due to surge in undocumented arrivals"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The stepped-up deportation drive marks a significant escalation in South Africa's efforts to manage undocumented foreign nationals, with substantial financial outlays and a focus on repatriation efforts.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}