South Africa to bill Nigeria, others for deportation costs

South Africa says foreign governments, including Nigeria, will now bear the cost of deporting their citizens who violate the country’s immigration laws.

South Africa has announced plans to begin charging foreign governments, including Nigeria, for the cost of deporting their citizens who breach the country’s immigration laws.

According to Vanguard, the policy was disclosed by South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation as part of intensified efforts to address illegal migration.

The move comes amid growing anti-immigration sentiments and increasing pressure on authorities to curb the influx of undocumented migrants into the country.

South African officials said more than 100,000 undocumented migrants have been deported over the past two years, a development they say has placed a significant financial burden on government resources.

Under the new arrangement, countries whose nationals are arrested, detained and eventually deported for immigration-related offences will be required to cover the costs of their repatriation.

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation said the policy is aimed at easing the financial strain associated with detention and deportation operations.

“Moving forward, we will also be billing countries for their foreign nationals who have to be deported or who are in our criminal detention facilities and have to be deported back into their countries,” the department stated.

Authorities added that implementation of the policy would be coordinated through South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs.

The announcement is expected to attract attention across Africa, particularly from countries with large migrant populations in South Africa, including Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Malawi.

While the South African government insists the measure is necessary to manage rising deportation costs, the policy could trigger diplomatic discussions over responsibility for undocumented migrants and the broader challenge of migration management across the continent.