Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Mmamoloko Kubayi addresses the media regarding the scaling down of the Musina Temporary Repatriation Processing Centre and the government's ongoing efforts in migration management
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The government has announced that the Musina Temporary Repatriation Processing Centre (TRPC) will be significantly scaled down from a capacity of 20,000 to just 1,500 from August 1. This follows the processing of more than 68,000 foreign nationals amid intensified migration management operations across the country.
Speaking on behalf of the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on Migration on Sunday, Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Mmamoloko Kubayi said the decision follows an assessment of migration trends over the past three weeks and forms part of government's broader Five-Point Plan aimed at strengthening migration management, border security and law enforcement.
"Since Malawian nationals assembled at Sherwood in KwaZulu-Natal between June 14, 2026, and July 24, 2026, a total of 68,138 foreign nationals have been processed, the majority repatriated following processing at the Musina Temporary Repatriation Processing Centre," Kubayi said.
The Border Management Authority (BMA) has meanwhile processed 72,906 repatriations through ports of entry between June 7 and July 14, involving various nationalities, including Malawian, Zimbabwean and Mozambican nationals.
Kubayi said that despite the scaling down of the centre, government remained committed to assisting foreign missions with repatriation efforts and maintaining migration management operations.
"The phased scaling down of the centre will not negatively impact or compromise both the deportation and repatriation processes we are undertaking," she said.
The minister reported intensified law enforcement action against illegal migration-related activities, including human trafficking, labour exploitation, fraudulent documentation syndicates and illegal mining operations.
According to the IMC, authorities have registered 354 arrests and prosecutions linked to migration law violations, while an additional 69 people were arrested in Jeffreys Bay last weekend and appeared in court earlier this week.
"Government is making it clear that migration management is fundamentally a rule-of-law matter. Criminality will not be tolerated, regardless of who is involved," Kubayi said.
The committee also revealed that dedicated immigration courts finalised 28,736 immigration-related cases between April and June 2026, with Gauteng accounting for nearly half of all cases.
On border security, Kubayi said authorities have conducted 93 joint border operations since April targeting illicit goods trafficking, human trafficking and drug syndicates.
Government is also preparing to launch major border infrastructure projects and modernise six of South Africa's busiest ports of entry, including Beit Bridge, Lebombo, Maseru and Kopfontein.
The IMC used the briefing to condemn individuals who conducted unauthorised identity inspections of foreign nationals and businesses while impersonating Home Affairs officials.
"We want to urge whoever is involved in this wrong practice to desist from it or face the might of the law," Kubayi warned.
She confirmed that seven people had already been arrested in Polokwane in connection with such activities.
The committee further criticised attempts by some groups to resist law enforcement operations, referencing recent tensions in Bellville where foreign nationals allegedly confronted authorities during an enforcement operation.
"We would like to issue a strong warning against those who undermine the work of our law enforcement officers or otherwise face the consequences," Kubayi said.
Government also defended its humanitarian response to migrants affected by recent tensions, saying healthcare, food, water, sanitation, child protection services and support for vulnerable groups had been provided through coordinated efforts involving embassies, non-governmental organisations and international agencies.
Kubayi said South Africa remains committed to balancing border security and migration control with constitutional obligations and human rights protections.
"The implementation of the Five-Point Plan is yielding tangible progress. We are strengthening law enforcement. We are securing our borders. We are working closely with partner countries. We are improving policy and legislation," she said.
The IMC said it would continue providing regular updates as the government advances what it described as a migration system that is "secure, humane, lawful and aligned with the values of our Constitution."
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