Ethiopia is among three African countries asked by South Africa to reimburse part of the cost of deporting and voluntarily repatriating tens of thousands of foreign nationals amid a crackdown on undocumented migration.
South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs said it has written to the Ethiopian and Nigerian embassies, as well as the government of Malawi, through the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, seeking reimbursement for costs incurred during the repatriation operation.
The South African government said it has spent about 292 million rand, or nearly USD 18 million, on transport, temporary repatriation centres and staff overtime. Home Affairs Director-General Tommy Makhode described the expenditure as “unforeseen and unavoidable,” saying it had not been included in the department’s original budget.
By Aug. 6, South Africa had processed 82,875 people through voluntary repatriation and deportation procedures, according to Home Affairs. The operation has taken place amid growing political tensions, protests and violence linked to undocumented migration.
Makhode said transport accounted for a major share of the costs, while the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure spent 48 million rand on establishing and operating a temporary repatriation centre. Municipalities, including eThekwini and Cape Town, also provided transport assistance.
South African authorities said 16,078 foreign nationals—mostly from Lesotho, Malawi, Tanzania, Zimbabwe and Mozambique—were deported through the Lindela Repatriation Centre between April and July.
The request places Ethiopia within a sensitive regional debate over migration, xenophobia, cross-border labour and state responsibility for nationals living abroad. South African officials said they are awaiting responses from the Ethiopian, Malawian and Nigerian authorities.
