Home Affairs repatriates 586 undocumented Nigerian nationals

The Department of Home Affairs has confirmed that it has processed 586 Nigerian nationals for repatriation after they were found to be residing in South Africa illegally.

The first repatriation flight departed on Thursday morning, carrying 268 passengers back to Nigeria. The department said all individuals processed for repatriation were issued with Emergency Travel Documents by the Nigerian High Commission to facilitate their return.

In line with the Immigration Act, the affected individuals have been declared undesirable persons and will be prohibited from re-entering South Africa for a period of five years.

The department thanked the Nigerian High Commission for its cooperation and assistance throughout the documentation and repatriation process.

A second flight carrying the remaining individuals from the group of 586 is scheduled to depart on Monday, 15 June 2026.

The Department of Home Affairs also reminded all foreign nationals living in South Africa that they are required to possess valid visas or other authorisations permitting them to remain in the country legally.

It urged foreign nationals to ensure that their immigration status remains compliant with South African immigration laws and to take the necessary steps to regularise their stay where required.

Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Leon Schreiber, said the department remains committed to enforcing the country's immigration laws and strengthening the rule of law.

“Home Affairs is irrevocably committed to enforcing South Africa's immigration laws and restoring the rule of law. Our ongoing orderly and lawful deportations and repatriations, which have increased by 46% over the past two years, is clear evidence of this,” said Schreiber.

The minister said government reforms aimed at modernising the country's identity and immigration systems would further strengthen enforcement efforts.

These include the continued rollout of the Electronic Travel Authorisation system, which records biometric information for foreign nationals entering South Africa, the replacement of the Green ID Book with Smart ID cards through partnerships with banks, and the development of a Digital Identity system.

Schreiber also urged members of the public not to take the law into their own hands or engage in acts of violence against foreign nationals.

“Our reform agenda, as recently affirmed by President Cyril Ramaphosa, is systematically enhancing our capacity to enforce immigration laws. In this context of ongoing progress, the public is again urged to never engage in violence or take the law into their own hands,” he said.