By Suleman Chitera.

PRETORIA, South Africa – South Africa’s Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on Migration has announced a major reduction in operations at the Musina Repatriation Centre in Limpopo Province, citing a sharp decline in the number of undocumented foreign nationals being processed.

Speaking during a media briefing in Pretoria on Saturday, 26 July 2026, Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mamoloko Kubayi said the temporary facility’s capacity would be reduced from 20,000 people to 1,500 following the successful completion of a large-scale repatriation exercise.

Kubayi said more than 68,000 foreign nationals had been repatriated since mid-June, with the majority processed through the Musina Temporary Repatriation Processing Centre. Additional deportations were carried out by the Border Management Authority at various ports of entry across the country.

Among those repatriated were Malawian nationals, who had been assembled in KwaZulu-Natal between 14 June and 24 July 2026 before being returned to Malawi.Hundreds of Undocumented Malawians Face Deportation as Buses Arrive at Beitbridge Border Post

However, reports indicate that some Malawians have since made their way back to South Africa, highlighting the persistent economic hardships, unemployment and limited livelihood opportunities that continue to drive migration.

The development underscores the challenges facing both Malawi and South Africa. While deportation operations may help manage irregular migration in the short term, they do little to address the underlying economic factors that compel many people to seek employment outside their home countries.South Africa Deports 490 Malawians for Immigration Violations

The decision to scale down the Musina Repatriation Centre reflects the reduced number of migrants currently requiring processing. Nevertheless, the situation has renewed calls for stronger reintegration programmes for returning migrants and long-term economic strategies aimed at reducing repeat migration.

Analysts say improving employment opportunities and supporting returnees with sustainable livelihoods will be essential if countries such as Malawi are to break the cycle of migration and re-migration.

Read this Over 30 Malawians, Zimbabweans Stranded in Durban After Repatriation Site Closes