South Africa has processed 53,449 foreign nationals for deportation and repatriation over the past few weeks. The figures were announced in Pretoria by Mmamoloko Kubayi, Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development and Chair of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Migration (IMC), during an update on the government's five-point migration management strategy.

Kubayi said authorities have stepped up efforts to strengthen border security, tighten immigration controls and curb violations of immigration laws. She added that nationals from Malawi, Zimbabwe and Mozambique account for the majority of those processed.

The minister said enforcement efforts have also extended beyond the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. According to the government, 2,615 foreign nationals have been processed for repatriation to countries farther north in Africa, including 1,159 to Nigeria, 939 to Uganda, 431 to Kenya and 86 to the Republic of the Congo.

Meanwhile, the Department of Home Affairs said processing centers remain under pressure. Home Affairs Chief Director Albert Matsaung said the Musina Repatriation Centre, near the Beitbridge border with Zimbabwe, will continue operating at full capacity due to the steady arrival of undocumented migrants.

On Friday alone, the center processed nearly 2,500 people for repatriation, most of them Malawian and Zimbabwean nationals.

(With input from the wires)