Diplomatic Tension Erupts As South Africa Tells Malawi to Reimburse Deportation Costs
South Africa has ignited a fresh diplomatic storm after formally demanding that Malawi (along with Nigeria and Ethiopia) reimburse part of the R292 million it has spent this year deporting undocumented migrants.
Home Affairs Director-General Tommy Makhode told Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs that the department had only budgeted R60 million for deportations — but costs ballooned nearly fivefold. Transport alone swallowed the bulk of the unexpected bill.
“We have not budgeted for this… So to date, this is what we’ve spent: R292 million,” Makhode said.
Pretoria has now written formally to Lilongwe, Abuja and Addis Ababa through the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco), seeking cost recovery. Malawians form the largest group among those removed.
Around 83,000 migrants have been processed through the Lindela Repatriation Centre, with a temporary facility in Musina (costing R48 million to set up) now being scaled down.
Malawi’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not yet publicly responded.
The demand comes amid ongoing regional friction over migration, following earlier waves of anti-immigrant protests and large-scale repatriations in South Africa.