The Department of Home Affairs confirmed on Thursday 11 June 2026 that 586 Nigerian nationals have been processed for repatriation after being found to be residing in South Africa illegally. Image: Supplied
The Department of Home Affairs confirmed that 586 Nigerian nationals face repatriation from South Africa. The Home Affairs Nigerian nationals repatriation follows a verification exercise. Officials found all 586 living in South Africa without legal status. Furthermore, the department made the announcement on Thursday 11 June 2026. As a result, this ranks among the largest single-nationality processing operations South Africa has carried out in recent years.
Home Affairs Nigerian Nationals Repatriation: What Was Confirmed
Home Affairs spokesperson Siya Qoza confirmed the operation details. All 586 Nigerian nationals lacked valid documentation or legal authority to live in South Africa. Furthermore, officials processed them through standard repatriation procedures. As a result, the government will return them to Nigeria.
The department did not name the locations where officials found the 586 individuals. However, past large-scale repatriation operations involved people detained in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town and Durban. Furthermore, the scale of this operation points to coordinated intelligence work rather than random individual arrests. As a result, investigators likely targeted specific locations where undocumented migrants gathered.
The Context Behind the Home Affairs Nigerian Nationals Repatriation
The announcement arrives during a week of intense immigration enforcement. President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the nation on Sunday 7 June 2026. He pledged tighter borders, dedicated immigration courts and stricter employer prosecutions. Furthermore, the SIU revealed this week that Home Affairs officials allegedly sold visas, permits and citizenship for up to R40,000. As a result, the department faces pressure to show real enforcement action alongside its internal clean-up.
On the same Thursday, Home Affairs intercepted nine Bangladeshi nationals at OR Tambo International Airport. They carried fake Indian passports and fraudulent South African visas. Therefore, one day produced two major immigration enforcement outcomes that the department is likely to highlight publicly.
Nigeria’s Response to South African Enforcement
Nigeria has spoken out more than most African countries about South Africa’s immigration tensions. The Nigerian government warned its citizens not to attack South African businesses in Nigeria. Furthermore, Nigeria launched a voluntary repatriation programme for nationals who wanted to go home. As a result, the processing of 586 Nigerians for removal adds fresh sensitivity to the bilateral relationship between the two countries.
Nigeria has consistently told South Africa to distinguish between documented Nigerians who contribute to the economy and those who entered illegally. South Africa’s government has made the same distinction publicly. Therefore, removing people confirmed as illegal residents aligns with both governments’ stated positions. However, the scale and timing of this operation will draw attention from Abuja.
The Deportation Billing Policy
The Nigerian repatriation carries financial implications under South Africa’s new deportation billing policy. Deputy Minister Njabulo Nzuza confirmed this week that South Africa now sends deportation costs directly to the embassies of countries whose nationals it removes. Furthermore, the policy takes immediate effect. As a result, Nigeria’s High Commission in Pretoria will receive a formal invoice for the costs of processing and returning the 586 nationals.
Deportation costs depend on distance. Sending people to Nigeria costs far more than removing people to neighbouring countries. Therefore, the invoice South Africa sends Nigeria for this operation will be substantial.
What Happens Next
Officials will return the 586 Nigerian nationals to Nigeria through a coordinated deportation process. A specific departure date had not been confirmed at the time of publication. Furthermore, investigations into networks that help people stay illegally in South Africa continue. As a result, more repatriation operations targeting Nigerian and other nationals are likely in the weeks ahead.
Anyone with information about illegal immigration activity can contact Home Affairs on 0800 601 190 or Crime Stop on 08600 10111.
For more information visit dha.gov.za.
Editors Note All information in this article is based on the official statement by Home Affairs spokesperson Siya Qoza on 11 June 2026. The 586 Nigerian nationals are presumed innocent of any criminal wrongdoing beyond their confirmed illegal residency status. Mzansi Today Live will update this article as further information becomes available.