The Inter-Ministerial Committee on Migration (IMC) said that 48,948 foreign nationals were processed at the Musina Temporary Repatriation Processing Centre in Limpopo before it closed in August.
Of those, 46,744, or 95.5%, were classified as border jumpers, while 2,204, or 4.5%, were recorded as having reported through a port of entry.
The centre was officially established on June 26 as a temporary intervention to manage increased migration pressures and facilitate the lawful, orderly and dignified processing of undocumented migrants requiring assisted repatriation.
It brought together the Department of Home Affairs, the Border Management Authority, the South African Police Service, national and local departments responsible for health and social development, and humanitarian organisations at a single processing site.
The IMC said the latest centre-specific operational report records that 48,948 foreign nationals were processed at the facility.
Nearly 49,000 migrants processed at Musina centre
“Of these, 46 744, or 95.5 per cent, were classified as border jumpers, while 2 204, or 4.5 per cent, were recorded as having reported through a port of entry.”
The IMC said the centre-specific figure should not be confused with the broader national total.
“By July 24 2026, the government had processed 68 138 migrants nationally following the increased migration pressures that began in June, with the majority repatriated after being processed through the Musina centre.”
“Separately, the Border Management Authority reported processing 72 906 repatriations through all ports of entry between June 7 and July 14 2026, including people processed through the Musina facility.”
The IMC said the majority of migrants processed through the Musina centre were Malawian nationals, followed by Zimbabwean and Mozambican nationals.
The IMC reiterated that the centre was initially established as a temporary facility and was never intended to serve as a permanent facility.
“The decision to close the Centre followed a sustained decline in the number of people requiring processing and repatriation assistance.”
“The government had initially reduced the centre’s operational capacity from 20 000 to approximately 1 500 from August 1, 2026, after migration data showed a continuing decline in arrivals over successive weeks.
“In the period leading to decommissioning, there were days when no people presented for processing. The temporary facility was consequently no longer operationally justified at its existing scale.”
The IMC said the decision was further informed by the fact that the Government of Malawi was no longer intending to facilitate the repatriation of its citizens through the temporary centre.
95.5% classified as ‘border jumpers’
“The continued operation of the centre also required expenditure on hired equipment, generator fuel, the deployment of officials and additional security services.”
“Maintaining the facility despite significantly reduced demand would therefore not have represented the most efficient use of public resources.”
The IMC said the closure should not be interpreted as a withdrawal by the Government from its responsibility to manage migration.
“Rather, it marks the conclusion of a temporary emergency intervention that had fulfilled its immediate operational purpose to avoid a crisis unfolding at Durban drive-through.”
The dismantling of the tents and other temporary infrastructure commenced as part of the formal decommissioning of the centre on August 21.
“Government communication officials were deployed to document the removal of the infrastructure and the broader closure process, and the decommissioning was subsequently recorded as of August 21, 2026.”
Deportation and repatriation will continue through lawful channels
The IMC said the closure of the Musina Temporary Repatriation Processing Centre does not bring deportation or repatriation operations to an end.
“Immigration enforcement, deportation and facilitated repatriation remain the exclusive responsibility of the State and will continue in accordance with South Africa’s immigration laws, constitutional obligations and international commitments.”
“Where undocumented migrants are identified, the Department of Home Affairs and the relevant law enforcement agencies will follow the applicable legal and administrative processes. The phased closure of the Musina centre does not compromise the State’s ability to conduct deportations or support assisted repatriations.”
Deportations and repatriations to continue
The IMC said undocumented migrants will not automatically be transferred to the Lindela Repatriation Centre merely because the Musina temporary facility has closed.
“The appropriate processing or detention facility will be determined by the Department of Home Affairs and the relevant authorities, taking into account the individual circumstances of each case, legal requirements, available capacity, location and operational considerations.”
It said Lindela Prepatriation Centre in Gauteng remains one of the authorised facilities that may be used where legally and operationally appropriate.
“The Government will also continue to work with neighbouring countries, diplomatic missions, the International Organization for Migration and humanitarian partners to support safe, coordinated and dignified returns where assisted repatriation is required.”
The IMC said the government remains committed to lawful and humane migration management.
“The temporary centre demonstrated the government’s ability to respond rapidly and in a coordinated manner to exceptional migration pressures.”
“It enabled immigration, security, judicial, health, social-development, and humanitarian services to be brought closer to the border, while supporting orderly processing and reducing pressure on inland facilities.”
“Government remains committed to strengthening border management, enforcing immigration laws, disrupting human trafficking and other criminal networks, and closing gaps in the country’s migration-management system.”
It said the measures would continue to be implemented in a manner that upholds the rule of law and protects the dignity and constitutional rights of all people.
“Members of the public are reminded that only authorised government officials may conduct immigration enforcement. Communities must not undertake unlawful identity checks, intimidation, removals or other acts of vigilantism against any person,” the IMC added.
IOL News
Simon Majadibodu
iol.co.za
