Picture: The committee visits repatriation centres
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
8 July 2026 – The Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs has expressed satisfaction with the coordinated efforts of the Department of Home Affairs and its partners in facilitating the processing, deportation and repatriation of undocumented foreign nationals at the Temporary Repatriation Processing Centre (TRPC) in Musina, Limpopo. The committee conducted the first day of its urgent oversight visit to the TRPC on Tuesday as part of its constitutional responsibility to oversee the implementation of immigration legislation, assess operational readiness and ensure that the rights and dignity of all persons are upheld throughout the repatriation process.
The chairperson of the committee, Mosa Chabane said during the visit, the committee received a comprehensive briefing on the operations of the facility and observed the processing systems first-hand. Chabane said members of the committee were informed that more than 38 000 foreign nationals had been processed for deportation and repatriation in less than a week as of Saturday, 4 July 2026.
“The committee was further informed that the cumulative number of foreign nationals processed has since exceeded 45 000. The committee noted that the TRPC was established under the auspices of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Migration to facilitate the efficient registration, verification and processing of undocumented foreign nationals while ensuring the provision of humanitarian services, including food, healthcare and other essential support.
“Situated on land belonging to the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, the facility has the capacity to accommodate up to 20 000 people at any given time. We commend the collaborative approach adopted by all stakeholders involved in the operation,” he said.
He further said the committee has been encouraged by the level of coordination demonstrated by the Department of Home Affairs, municipalities, law enforcement agencies, diplomatic missions and humanitarian organisations. Chabane added that such cooperation is essential to ensuring that immigration laws are implemented effectively while safeguarding the dignity and fundamental rights of every individual throughout the process.
“The committee was particularly encouraged by the efficiency with which large numbers of people had been processed within a relatively short period. Our oversight responsibility is to satisfy ourselves that the systems in place are lawful, efficient, humane and capable of responding to operational demands.
“The information presented to the committee and the observations made on site indicate significant progress in this regard. We will, however, continue to monitor the implementation of these processes to ensure that they remain compliant with the Constitution, applicable legislation and South Africa’s international obligations,” he said.
Chabane said the committee has also appreciated the Limpopo and Kwa-Zulu Natal provincial governments and their respective municipalities in the manner they carried and availed resources to compliment the work of the national government. He said, however, it remains concerned about the underfunding of the Border Management Authority (BMA), reiterated during the BMA’s briefing.
“The committee together with sister committees in the security cluster will await a comprehensive report from the IMC once the process has been finalised. Today, the committee will continue with the second day of its oversight visit at the Beitbridge Port of Entry, where it will assess border management operations and the implementation of repatriation processes at one of the country’s busiest ports of entry,” said Chabane.
The Guardian 