The government says more than 53,000 foreign nationals have either been deported or voluntarily repatriated since mid-June as authorities intensified immigration enforcement and responded to unrest linked to immigration concerns.
The large-scale operation comes as 205 criminal cases have been registered, 350 people arrested, 69 cases remained under investigation, and 112 matters were already before the courts in connection with unlawful conduct, intimidation, incitement and related offences.
Speaking during an inter-ministerial briefing in Pretoria on Sunday, justice and constitutional development minister Mmamoloko Kubayi said that by July 11, a total of 53,449 foreign nationals had been processed through deportation and voluntary repatriation programmes.
