South African police officers conduct inspections for illegal immigration in Johannesburg, South Africa, July 16, 2026. Photo by Ihsaan Haffejee.

NNA News - South Africa has repatriated 77,184 undocumented foreign nationals to various countries as of Aug. 3, the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) said Friday. Briefing the media in Pretoria, Deputy National Police Commissioner Tebello Mosikili, who also serves as NATJOINTS co-chairperson, said 18,816 people were formally deported between April 1 and July 31.

A further 3,016 undocumented foreign nationals were awaiting deportation at the Lindela Repatriation Center, while just over 500 people remained at a repatriation center in Musina, Limpopo Province, Mosikili said. She said those at the Musina facility would be returned to their respective countries in the coming days. "Government will continue enforcing immigration legislation while ensuring that all enforcement measures remain lawful, humane and consistent with the Constitution and applicable legislation," Mosikili said.

More than 16,208 undocumented foreign nationals were arrested in July through Operation Shanela and related multidisciplinary operations, according to NATJOINTS. Since January, authorities have arrested 59,947 undocumented foreign nationals for being in the country illegally. The government is also continuing workplace and business compliance inspections across the country.

According to NATJOINTS, 6,317 labour inspectors are conducting workplace inspections, while authorities are also inspecting spaza shops for compliance with municipal by-laws, food safety regulations, business licensing requirements and immigration laws. The enforcement measures form part of the government's broader efforts to strengthen compliance with South Africa's immigration and other applicable laws.