IN CONVERSATION WITH MMEMME MOGOTSI
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South Africa’s migration debate has moved well beyond the question of how many undocumented people are being deported. The bigger challenge now is whether the country can build a system that prevents irregular entry, identifies people accurately, processes immigration and asylum claims efficiently, and knows who is entering and leaving the country.
That is particularly relevant given the scale of enforcement this year. As of 3 August 2026, government said 77,184 undocumented foreign nationals had been repatriated, while 18,816 people had been formally deported between 1 April and 31 July. At the same time, 3,016 people were awaiting deportation at Lindela.
That is particularly relevant given the scale of enforcement this year. As of 3 August 2026, government said 77,184 undocumented foreign nationals had been repatriated, while 18,816 people had been formally deported between 1 April and 31 July. At the same time, 3,016 people were awaiting deportation at Lindela.
