Question NW1246 to the Minister of Home Affairs
13 August 2020 - NW1246
McGluwa, Mr JJ to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
(1) What are the reasons for the overspending on immigration and deportation-related issues in the 2019-20 financial year; (2) what are the costs incurred by his department on the deportation of immigrants in the specified financial year; (3) whether any monies have been recouped from the countries of the deported immigrants; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (4) what are the relevant details of monies (a) paid by his department and (b) received on deportation from each country of deported immigrants for the past 12 months?
Reply:
(1) The increased number of arrests of illegal immigrants would have resulted in releases if the deportations were not implemented;
(2) The deportations costs incurred by the department was R23,329,354.82 in 2019/20 financial year;
(3) The country’s policy position of recouping the costs incurred in returning illegal immigrants to their countries of origin is the subject of ongoing bilateral discussions led by the DHA and DIRCO. All countries have to date indicated a lack of funds in relation to this. In SADC and South America, Consular services in foreign missions such as Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Brazil and Venezuela are actively involved in assisting the deportees to source funds for self-payment from their relations. The assistance also extends to the purchase of bus and flight tickets by the Consular Officers;
(4) what are the relevant details of monies (a) paid by his department and (b) received on deportation from each country of deported immigrants for the past 12 months?
(a) Deportation expenditure amounted to R23,329,354.82.
(b) Self-deportation costs by foreign nationals were R5,634,165.20.
END