Pretoria expels tens of thousands of foreigners

South Africa has reported taking action against more than 53,000 foreign nationals, encompassing deportations and voluntary returns, as part of its commitment to expedite expulsion processes. This figure significantly exceeds the approximately 25,000 migrants reported by police for similar actions before the anti-immigrant protests on June 30.

During a press briefing in Pretoria on Sunday, July 12, 2026, Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi, who chairs the joint ministerial committee on migration, stated that Malawian citizens topped the list of those deported up to July 11. They were followed by citizens from Zimbabwe and Mozambique.

In parallel, South African authorities cautioned civilian security groups against continuing illegal inspections targeting irregular migrants. This suggests a dual approach: enforcing state-controlled deportation measures while attempting to curb vigilantism.

The government's intensified actions come amid ongoing concerns about immigration and its impact on the country. The significant increase in deportations highlights the administration's focus on managing the foreign national population.

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Malawian citizens topped the list of those deported up to July 11, followed by citizens from Zimbabwe and Mozambique.