The Border Management Authority says 141 undocumented Mozambican nationals were deported on Sunday following biometric verification at the Lebombo Port of Entry, with minors processed under child protection protocols.
Image: BMA
A group of 141 Mozambican nationals left South Africa on Sunday through the Lebombo Port of Entry, the Border Management Authority (BMA) confirmed on Monday.
The authority said the repatriation operation was facilitated by the Embassy of the Republic of Mozambique in South Africa, which transported the individuals from Mossel Bay to the Lebombo Port of Entry using three buses.
BMA spokesperson Mmemme Mogotsi said the group arrived at the port at approximately 8.30pm and the operation was concluded at midnight.
“In support of the operation, members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) conducted biometric fingerprint verification using mobile scanning devices to determine whether any of the repatriated individuals were linked to criminal activities or were wanted for outstanding offences in South Africa.”
She said the verification process confirmed that the only records identified were related to previous arrests for contraventions of immigration laws, specifically illegal presence within the Republic.
“A total of 168 Mozambican nationals and one South African citizen arrived at the port for processing.”
“The South African citizen was refused departure after indicating that he intended to accompany the group to visit family in the Republic of Mozambique without following the appropriate travel arrangements.”
Mogotsi said of the Mozambican nationals processed, 141 individuals, comprising 97 males and 44 females, were undocumented and were accordingly deported in terms of the Immigration Act.
“A further eight Mozambican nationals were in possession of valid passports and were processed for lawful departure.”
She said the group also included 19 minors.
“In line with established child protection protocols, all minors were subjected to the necessary processes conducted in collaboration with the Department of Social Development to ensure that their best interests were safeguarded throughout the repatriation process.”
Meanwhile, the commissioner of the Border commended the collaborative efforts of all stakeholders involved in facilitating the repatriation, including the Mozambican Embassy, SAPS, the Department of Social Development, and BMA officials stationed at the Lebombo Port of Entry.
"The successful conclusion of this operation demonstrates the importance of coordinated action between neighbouring countries and government stakeholders in managing migration in a lawful, humane and orderly manner.”
“The BMA remains committed to ensuring that all movements across our ports of entry are processed in accordance with the law while upholding the dignity and rights of all persons involved," Masiapato said.
Earlier on Monday, IOL News reported that the authority confirmed that 663 Ghanaian nationals were processed for repatriation from South Africa to Ghana through OR Tambo International Airport over the weekend, with nine passengers later offloaded after being declared medically unfit to travel.
Mogotsi said the repatriation process was coordinated through the Port Management Committee (PMC), comprising various government stakeholders responsible for facilitating lawful and orderly movement across the port of entry.
“On Saturday, 6 June 2026, a group of 332 Ghanaian nationals was brought to OR Tambo International Airport by the Ghanaian High Commission in Pretoria for repatriation.”
She said following an extensive check-in process, the travellers proceeded to BMA Immigration for verification and clearance.
“Of the travellers processed, 170 were travelling on Ghanaian ordinary passports, while 162 were using Emergency Travel Certificates issued by the Ghanaian High Commission in Pretoria.”
“Emergency Travel Certificates are single-use travel documents issued to facilitate the return of citizens to their country of origin.”
The Border Management Authority (BMA) says 654 Ghanaian nationals departed South Africa over the weekend as part of coordinated repatriation flights through OR Tambo International Airpor
Image: Supplied/BMA
Mogotsi said during immigration processing, 321 travellers were found to have overstayed their allocated period of stay in South Africa by 30 days or longer. Consequently, they were declared undesirable in terms of Section 30 of the Immigration Act, read together with Regulation 27(3)(c) of the Immigration Regulations.
“At the conclusion of the immigration process, 323 passengers were found eligible to depart and subsequently boarded a chartered flight arranged by the Government of Ghana through its High Commission in Pretoria.”
She, however, said nine passengers were offloaded from the flight.
“These included two couples and their five children.”
“The wife of one couple and the husband of the other were declared medically unfit to travel by airline personnel. Airport paramedics were called to assist and subsequently transferred the two travellers to the airport clinic for further medical attention.”
Mogotsi said on Sunday, a further group of 331 Ghanaian nationals was brought to OR Tambo International Airport by the Ghanaian High Commission for repatriation.
“Following check-in procedures, the travellers proceeded to BMA Immigration for processing.”
“Among those processed, 117 travellers were using Ghanaian ordinary passports, while 90 were travelling on Emergency Travel Certificates issued by the Ghanaian High Commission in Pretoria.”
She said in addition, 37 minor children born in South Africa were also processed using Emergency Travel Certificates.
“BMA immigration officials further processed 25 asylum seekers who voluntarily submitted withdrawal letters to cancel their asylum applications.”
“During the verification process, 170 travellers were found to have overstayed their allocated period of stay in South Africa by 30 days or longer and were consequently declared undesirable in terms of Section 30 of the Immigration Act, read together with Regulation 27(3)(c) of the Immigration Regulations,” Mogotsi said.
She said at the end of the process, 341 passengers, including 10 deportees brought by the Department of Home Affairs from the Lindela Holding Facility, were cleared for departure.
One traveller did not check in, but the remaining 340 boarded a chartered flight arranged by the Government of Ghana through its High Commission in Pretoria.
The flight departed at 9:30am.
According to her, the repatriation of these Ghanaian nationals demonstrates effective cooperation between the Government of Ghana, through its High Commission in Pretoria, and South African authorities responsible for migration management and border security.
The repatriation comes as many undocumented foreign nationals leave South Africa amid ongoing protests targeting migrants.
Anti-immigrant tensions have persisted in parts of the Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng.
South African authorities, working with the Ghanaian High Commission and the Department of Home Affairs, oversaw the weekend repatriation of more than 650 nationals through OR Tambo.
Image: Supplied/BMA
Some demonstrations have been led by the controversial anti-migrant group March and March, which has called on undocumented migrants to leave South Africa by June 30, despite government appeals for calm.
On Sunday night, President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the nation on the government’s approach to managing illegal migration amid a recent surge in protests targeting foreign nationals.
Last Wednesday, in a separate operation last week, the BMA facilitated the departure of 933 Mozambican nationals through the Lebombo Port of Entry.
Of those, 349 came from the Lindela Holding Facility and 584 were assisted through arrangements involving the Mozambican High Commission.
A total of 926 ultimately departed after processing, while seven were not cleared due to documentation and verification issues.
IOL News