By Samuel Olusegun Precious
South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs is seeking nearly $18.5 million from the governments of Nigeria, Malawi, and Ethiopia to offset the surging financial costs of repatriating their citizens.
The unprecedented demand comes as South Africa’s repatriation budget has vastly ballooned past its initial R60 million allocation, driven by a sweeping nationwide crackdown on undocumented migration. According to official figures, authorities have processed more than 82,000 foreign nationals for deportation in recent months.
Department officials confirmed the funds were spent directly on logistics and transportation to return foreign nationals to their home countries, arguing that the origin nations should share the financial burden.
The move follows a turbulent mid-2026 period marked by heightened anti-foreigner sentiment, localized violence, and widespread deportations. Across June and July, thousands of migrants from Malawi, Nigeria, Ghana, and Zimbabwe were either formally repatriated or fled the country following threats, business looting, and fatalities, including the death of at least one Ghanaian national.
Diplomatic Strain Amid Domestic Pressure
The financial demand threatens to further strain diplomatic relations between Pretoria and its regional partners. While Nigeria, Malawi, and Ethiopia now face official pressure to foot the bill, South African authorities are attempting to manage severe domestic economic frustration.
Despite the departure and deportation of tens of thousands of foreign workers, South Africa’s domestic labor market remains under severe stress. Recent data from Statistics South Africa revealed that the national unemployment rate rose to 33.6% in the second quarter of 2026, underlining the ongoing economic pressures fueling the government’s strict border enforcement policies.
