The Department of Home Affairs says it has deported 109,344 illegal immigrants from South Africa over the past two financial years. The department says the figure reflects a sharp rise in enforcement since the Government of National Unity took office.

According to Home Affairs, deportations rose from 39,672 in the 2023/24 financial year to 51,560 in 2024/25. That was a 30% increase. The number then climbed again to 57,784 in 2025/26, pushing the two-year total to 109,344 by 31 March 2026.

Government Says Reforms are Paying Off

Home Affairs acting spokesperson André Gaum said the increase shows a stronger push to restore the rule of law. He said the department and its law enforcement partners are intensifying action against immigration violations.

Minister Leon Schreiber said the country is now seeing results from reforms aimed at improving efficiency and tightening enforcement. He pointed to Operation New Broom and the wider use of biometric verification tools as key drivers behind the 46% rise in deportations over the two-year period.

Tough Warning for Undocumented Foreign Nationals

Schreiber also issued a direct warning to undocumented foreign nationals. He said those in South Africa illegally should self-deport before authorities find them and block them from entering the country legally in future.

He added that enforcement is only one part of the department’s strategy. Home Affairs says it is also focused on deterrence and modernising border and immigration systems to improve detection and arrests.

Drones, Body Cameras and ETA System in Focus

Schreiber said drone deployments and body camera technology are already making an impact. He also said the planned expansion of the Electronic Travel Authorisation system will record biometrics for every foreign national entering South Africa. According to the department, that should strengthen its ability to identify and arrest people who are in the country illegally.

The latest figures land as illegal immigration remains a politically charged issue in South Africa, with pressure mounting on government to tighten border control and improve enforcement on the ground.