The Department of Home Affairs has carried out a total of 109,344 deportations over the past two financial years, reflecting a sharp increase in enforcement as it tightens border and homeland security. This represents a nearly 50% surge compared to the previous two-year period, according to official data.
Through ongoing campaigns like Operation New Broom, the department has intensified operations targeting undocumented foreign nationals. The majority of deportations were to neighboring countries, including Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Lesotho.
Minister of Home Affairs Aaron Motsoaledi stated that the increase is part of a broader strategy to combat illegal immigration and crime. He emphasized that the operations are conducted in accordance with South African law and international protocols.
The department has also invested in new technology and personnel at border posts to improve detection and processing. Critics, however, have raised concerns about the humanitarian impact and the treatment of deportees.
As of April 2026, the department continues to report steady deportation numbers, with plans to further enhance border security measures in the coming year.
