By Mapaballo Borotho
- The Border Management Authority says 90% of the Ghanaian nationals who left South Africa this week were undocumented migrants.
- A total of 300 people were processed for departure, while five travellers were denied exit due to immigration and documentation issues.
- Authorities say the departures come amid growing pressure over undocumented migration ahead of the 30 June 2026 deadline set by anti-illegal migration groups.
The Border Management Authority (BMA) says 90% of the Ghanaian nationals who departed South Africa on Wednesday, 27 May 2026, were undocumented.
The BMA confirmed that it successfully processed 300 Ghanaian nationals departing from South Africa to Ghana.
Their departure comes as the 30 June 2026 deadline approaches, with the “March and March” movement calling on undocumented foreign nationals to leave the country.
“Out of the 300, 25 came from the Lindela holding facility and were brought by the Immigration Inspectorate of the Department of Home Affairs. The Ghanaian High Commissioner brought a further 275,” said BMA Commissioner Michael Masiapato.
Masiapato said most of the travellers were found to have overstayed in South Africa by more than 30 days, while some had overstayed by a year or longer.
As a result, they were declared undesirable in terms of Section 30 of the Immigration Act, read together with Regulation 27(3)(c) of the Immigration Regulations.
Five travellers were refused departure for various immigration-related reasons.
According to the BMA, one passenger held a valid asylum seeker permit and could not be allowed to depart without formally cancelling his protection application in South Africa. Authorities said allowing him to leave without following the legal process would amount to refoulement.
“All asylum seekers are required to cancel their application for protection if they are to return to the country they were fleeing from,” said Masiapato.
Another passenger was denied departure after attempting to travel with an expired passport and without an Emergency Travel Certificate issued by the embassy.
A woman travelling with two minor children, believed to belong to her sister, was also stopped because she allegedly failed to provide proof of relationship or the required consent documentation.
The BMA said the decisions were in line with its mandate to facilitate the lawful movement of people and goods across South Africa’s borders.
The travellers who were denied departure were handed back to the Ghanaian High Commissioner for possible future repatriation once they meet the required immigration conditions.
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