The Border Management Authority (BMA) confirmed that 663 Ghanaian nationals were processed for repatriation from South Africa to Ghana through OR Tambo International Airport over the weekend, with nine passengers later offloaded after being declared medically unfit to travel.
The authority said in a media statement on Monday, June 8, 2026.
BMA spokesperson Mmemme Mogotsi said the repatriation process was coordinated through the Port Management Committee (PMC), comprising various government stakeholders responsible for facilitating lawful and orderly movement across the port of entry.
“On Saturday, 6 June 2026, a group of 332 Ghanaian nationals was brought to OR Tambo International Airport by the Ghanaian High Commission in Pretoria for repatriation.”
She said following an extensive check-in process, the travellers proceeded to BMA Immigration for verification and clearance.
“Of the travellers processed, 170 were travelling on Ghanaian ordinary passports, while 162 were using Emergency Travel Certificates issued by the Ghanaian High Commission in Pretoria.”
“Emergency Travel Certificates are single-use travel documents issued to facilitate the return of citizens to their country of origin.”
Mogotsi said during immigration processing, 321 travellers were found to have overstayed their allocated period of stay in South Africa by 30 days or longer. Consequently, they were declared undesirable in terms of Section 30 of the Immigration Act, read together with Regulation 27(3)(c) of the Immigration Regulations.
“At the conclusion of the immigration process, 323 passengers were found eligible to depart and subsequently boarded a chartered flight arranged by the Government of Ghana through its High Commission in Pretoria.”
She, however, said nine passengers were offloaded from the flight.
“These included two couples and their five children.”
“The wife of one couple and the husband of the other were declared medically unfit to travel by airline personnel. Airport paramedics were called to assist and subsequently transferred the two travellers to the airport clinic for further medical attention.”
Mogotsi said on Sunday, 7 June 2026, a further group of 331 Ghanaian nationals was brought to OR Tambo International Airport by the Ghanaian High Commission for repatriation.
“Following check-in procedures, the travellers proceeded to BMA Immigration for processing.”
“Among those processed, 117 travellers were using Ghanaian ordinary passports, while 90 were travelling on Emergency Travel Certificates issued by the Ghanaian High Commission in Pretoria.”
Image: Supplied/BMA
She said in addition, 37 minor children born in South Africa were also processed using Emergency Travel Certificates.
“BMA immigration officials further processed 25 asylum seekers who voluntarily submitted withdrawal letters to cancel their asylum applications.”
“During the verification process, 170 travellers were found to have overstayed their allocated period of stay in South Africa by 30 days or longer and were consequently declared undesirable in terms of Section 30 of the Immigration Act, read together with Regulation 27(3)(c) of the Immigration Regulations,” Mogotsi said.
She said at the end of the process, 341 passengers, including 10 deportees brought by the Department of Home Affairs from the Lindela Holding Facility, were cleared for departure.
One traveller did not check in, but the remaining 340 boarded a chartered flight arranged by the Government of Ghana through its High Commission in Pretoria. The flight departed at 9:30am.
According to Mogotsi, the repatriation of these Ghanaian nationals demonstrates effective cooperation between the Government of Ghana, through its High Commission in Pretoria, and South African authorities responsible for migration management and border security.
Meanwhile, BMA Commissioner Dr Michael Masiapato commended the Port Management Committee and all officials involved in facilitating the operation.
He encouraged foreign missions to continue working closely with relevant government departments and entities to ensure the smooth and lawful facilitation of repatriation movements.
“The successful processing of these repatriation movements reflects the importance of coordinated efforts between foreign missions and South African authorities.”
“Such cooperation contributes to effective migration management while ensuring compliance with the country’s immigration laws,” Masiapato added.
The repatriation comes as many undocumented foreign nationals leave South Africa amid ongoing protests targeting migrants.
Anti-immigrant tensions have persisted in parts of the Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng.
Some demonstrations have been led by the controversial anti-migrant group March and March, which has called on undocumented migrants to leave South Africa by June 30, despite government appeals for calm.
On Sunday night, President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the nation on the government’s approach to managing illegal migration amid a recent surge in protests targeting foreign nationals.
The president outlined five measures to address immigration challenges:
-Intensifying arrests, inspections, prosecutions and deportations of undocumented migrants, while increasing penalties for employers who hire them illegally.
-Strengthening border control through improved technology, infrastructure and personnel, and relocating refugee reception centres closer to border posts.
-Combating corruption, introducing biometric-based digital identification, phasing out green ID books and tightening identity verification systems.
-Reforming immigration and labour laws, introducing quotas for foreign workers and improving regulation of businesses and informal traders.
-Working with African countries and regional bodies to address the root causes of migration, including poverty, conflict and limited economic opportunities.
Read in full: Ramaphosa’s address.
Last Wednesday, in a separate operation last week, the BMA facilitated the departure of 933 Mozambican nationals through the Lebombo Port of Entry.
Of those, 349 came from the Lindela Holding Facility and 584 were assisted through arrangements involving the Mozambican High Commission.
A total of 926 ultimately departed after processing, while seven were not cleared due to documentation and verification issues.
