South Africa has deported 418 Mozambican citizens, allegedly involved in illegal practices such as crossing the border unlawfully, staying clandestinely and, in some cases, burgling properties. The information was confirmed by Carmen Mazanga, spokesperson for the joint command of the migration service operating at the Ressano Garcia border.
“The institutions involved in this process are Senami [National Migration Service], the border police, Sernic [National Criminal Investigation Service] and the PRM [Police of the Republic of Mozambique], which work in coordination to ensure the screening and referral of those repatriated”, said Mazanga, cited by the media.
According to the official, the group was expelled last Friday and was mostly made up of individuals without any valid documentation, such as passports or residence visas.
“We are also carrying out awareness-raising activities among our fellow citizens, urging them to return to their places of origin and to comply with immigration law”, the spokesperson added.
The numbers reveal a growing trend: in December last year alone, the Mozambican authorities reported the repatriation of about 10,500 Mozambicans from South Africa on grounds of illegal immigration – a rise of 22% compared with the 2024 figures.
