The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) revealed on Thursday that since the formation of the Government of National Unity (GNU), 109 344 illegal immigrants have been deported, a cumulative 46% increase over the last two financial years.

Home Affairs Minister Dr Leon Schreiber said the numbers demonstrated the DHA’s commitment to upholding the rule of law.

The GNU administration increased deportations by 30%, from 39 672 in the 2023/24 financial year to 51 560 in 2024/25.

This was followed by another increase of 12%, to 57 784, in 2025/26.

“These numbers show that we are now reaping the fruits of reforms focused on greater efficiency and intensified enforcement against immigration violators. Through ongoing campaigns like Operation New Broom, as well the increasing use of biometric verification tools, we have already increased deportations by 46%. Our message remains clear: If you are in South Africa illegally, self-deport now before we find you and ban you from ever entering our country legally in future,” he stated.

The department is also focused on deterrence and modernisation to deal with illegal immigration, with Schreiber noting the use of drones and body cameras, as well as the improvement of the Electronic Travel Authorisation system to efficiently read biometrics of travellers.