Johannesburg – South Africa has deported nearly 110 000 undocumented foreign nationals over the past two financial years, with authorities warning that those who enter the country illegally risk being banned from returning.
The figures were released by the Department of Home Affairs, which reported a sharp rise in deportations since the formation of the Government of National Unity.
Minister Leon Schreiber, through acting spokesperson André Gaum, said the increased removals reflect intensified law enforcement efforts against immigration violations. 
During the 2023 and 2024 financial year, 39 672 people were deported. That figure rose by 30 percent to 51 560 in 2024 and 2025. In the 2025 and 2026 financial year, deportations increased again by 12 percent to 57 784.
By 31 March 2026, a total of 109 344 undocumented immigrants had been deported over the two year period, representing a cumulative increase of 46 percent.
Schreiber said authorities are tightening controls at entry points and within communities.
“These numbers show that we are now reaping the fruits of reforms focused on greater efficiency and intensified enforcement against immigration violators.
“Through ongoing campaigns like Operation New Broom, as well as the increasing use of biometric verification tools, we have already increased deportations by 46%.”
He warned foreign nationals residing in South Africa unlawfully to leave voluntarily.
“Our message remains clear: If you are in South Africa illegally, self-deport now before we find you and ban you from ever entering our country legally in future,” Schreiber said.
“While enforcement efforts are clearly yielding fruit and scaling up every year, we remain equally focused on deterrence and modernisation.”
Among the measures introduced are drone surveillance and body worn camera technology to support immigration operations. The department is also preparing to expand the Electronic Travel Authorisation system, which will capture biometric data for every foreign national entering the country to strengthen detection and arrest capabilities.
The issue of undocumented migration continues to spark political debate in South Africa. Some analysts argue that sustained inflows of undocumented migrants create what they describe as a surplus population that places pressure on employment opportunities, social services and municipal resources.
Researcher and GiveHope Foundation cofounder Buhle Ndoda said the state struggles to account for and allocate resources to undocumented populations, which affects local communities directly.
In major urban centres such as Johannesburg and Pretoria, tensions have grown in certain neighbourhoods where some residents claim that areas have effectively become restricted zones for locals.
