South Africa is considering a new approach that could see foreign governments billed for deportation costs when their citizens break immigration laws.

The proposal comes as government moves to tighten enforcement, speed up deportations and reduce the cost carried by taxpayers.

According to reports, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation is exploring ways to recover deportation and detention costs from countries whose nationals are found to be in South Africa unlawfully.

Officials have indicated that invoices could be sent to embassies through diplomatic channels.

Government has not yet announced how the system would work or which countries could be affected.

Border pressure grows

The proposal forms part of a broader push to strengthen border management and clamp down on illegal immigration.

Government figures show that the Border Management Authority intercepted more than 450 000 attempted illegal border crossings in the past year.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has also said government plans to create dedicated immigration courts.

“We will set up dedicated courts to deal with immigration to speedily support the deportation of undocumented migrants,” Ramaphosa said.

He said authorities were increasing inspections of businesses that employ undocumented foreign nationals.

Government also wants to increase penalties for employers who break immigration laws.

More than 100 000 deported

Home Affairs Minister Dr Leon Schreiber recently said South Africa deported 109 344 undocumented migrants over the past two financial years.

Schreiber said the figures showed that reforms aimed at efficiency and tougher enforcement were starting to produce results.

“These numbers show that we are now reaping the fruits of reforms focused on greater efficiency and intensified enforcement against immigration violators,” he said.

Diplomatic talks expected

Migration policy experts say cost-sharing arrangements are used in some countries, but direct billing for deportations remains uncommon.

Internationally, countries such as the United States, Australia and several European states have negotiated agreements that require countries of origin to assist with repatriation.

In South Africa, some cooperation is already happening.

The Border Management Authority recently confirmed that Ghanaian authorities worked with South African officials to facilitate the return of hundreds of Ghanaian nationals.

Similar arrangements have also been coordinated with Mozambique through diplomatic channels.

Further discussions on the proposed cost-recovery system are expected through diplomatic channels in the coming months.