The Department of Home Affairs has confirmed that it has processed 586 Nigerian nationals for repatriation after they were found to be residing in South Africa illegally.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the department said the first repatriation flight departed on the morning of 11 June 2026, carrying 268 passengers back to Nigeria.
According to the department, all individuals processed for repatriation were issued with Emergency Travel Documents by the Nigerian High Commission to facilitate their return.
“In accordance with the Immigration Act, all affected individuals have been declared undesirable persons and are consequently prohibited from re-entering South Africa for a period of five years,” the department said.
Home Affairs also acknowledged the cooperation of the Nigerian High Commission throughout the documentation and repatriation process.
A second flight carrying the remaining individuals from the group of 586 is scheduled to depart on 15 June 2026.
The department reminded all foreign nationals living in South Africa that they are required to possess valid visas or other legal authorisations allowing them to remain in the country.
“Foreign nationals must ensure that their immigration status remains compliant with South African immigration laws at all times and regularise their stay where necessary,” the statement read.
Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber said the department remains committed to enforcing immigration laws and strengthening the rule of law.
“Our ongoing orderly and lawful deportations and repatriations, which have increased by 46% over the past two years, is clear evidence of this,” Schreiber said.
He added that government reforms, recently reaffirmed by President Cyril Ramaphosa, are improving the country’s ability to manage immigration and identity systems.
These reforms include the expansion of the Electronic Travel Authorisation system to record biometric information of foreign nationals entering South Africa, the replacement of the Green ID Book with Smart ID cards through partnerships with banks, and the introduction of a new Digital Identity system.
Schreiber also urged members of the public not to take the law into their own hands.
“The public is again urged to never engage in violence or take the law into their own hands,” he said.
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