South Africa has asked Malawi, Nigeria and Ethiopia to reimburse part of the money it has spent deporting undocumented migrants from the country this year.
The request follows revelations that South Africa has spent about R292 million on deportations, despite having budgeted only R60 million for the exercise.
Speaking before South Africa’s Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs, the department’s Director-General Tommy Makhode said deportation costs had risen significantly beyond the allocated budget.
“We have not budgeted for this… So to date, this is what we’ve spent: R292 million,” Makhode told lawmakers.
Makhode said transport had accounted for a significant portion of the expenditure, prompting the South African government to formally approach Malawi, Nigeria and Ethiopia through the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) to seek reimbursement.
Malawians are reportedly the largest group among the undocumented migrants deported by South Africa this year.
Figures presented to lawmakers show that about 83,000 migrants have been processed through the Lindela Repatriation Centre in Johannesburg.
South Africa has also been using a temporary facility in Musina, which reportedly cost R48 million to establish, although authorities are now scaling down its operations.
The demand for reimbursement comes amid growing concern in South Africa over the rising cost of deporting undocumented migrants.
In July, lawmakers raised concerns that chartering transport and processing returnees was costing the South African government more than R1.3 million per person.
The request follows revelations that South Africa has spent about R292 million on deportations, despite having budgeted only R60 million for the exercise.
Speaking before South Africa’s Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs, the department’s Director-General Tommy Makhode said deportation costs had risen significantly beyond the allocated budget.
“We have not budgeted for this… So to date, this is what we’ve spent: R292 million,” Makhode told lawmakers.
Makhode said transport had accounted for a significant portion of the expenditure, prompting the South African government to formally approach Malawi, Nigeria and Ethiopia through the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) to seek reimbursement.
Malawians are reportedly the largest group among the undocumented migrants deported by South Africa this year.
Figures presented to lawmakers show that about 83,000 migrants have been processed through the Lindela Repatriation Centre in Johannesburg.
South Africa has also been using a temporary facility in Musina, which reportedly cost R48 million to establish, although authorities are now scaling down its operations.
The demand for reimbursement comes amid growing concern in South Africa over the rising cost of deporting undocumented migrants.
In July, lawmakers raised concerns that chartering transport and processing returnees was costing the South African government more than R1.3 million per person.
One comment on “South Africa wants Malawi to pay deportation costs”
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R1.3 million per person,that’s a blue lie