South Africa has begun efforts to recover part of the nearly US$18 million it spent repatriating migrants to their countries of origin, with Ghana excluded from the countries being asked to reimburse the expenses.
The Department of Home Affairs has formally written to Nigeria, Malawi, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe and Mozambique seeking contributions towards the costs incurred in returning their nationals home.
The move follows a briefing by officials of the Department of Home Affairs to Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs, where the extent of the expenditure was disclosed.
Officials said a substantial portion of the funds was used to hire buses to transport migrants, while additional expenses covered temporary accommodation and repatriation facilities, food, staff overtime and other operational requirements.
The Director-General of Home Affairs, Tommy Makhode, said although some of the countries involved had provided assistance, the South African government ultimately carried most of the financial burden.
“Letters have been sent to the embassies of these countries awaiting response,” he said.
Ghana, however, is not part of the reimbursement process.
This is because Ghana independently financed the return of more than 1,600 of its nationals from South Africa following xenophobic attacks, using a combination of chartered and commercial flights.
The evacuation was financed by the Ghanaian government, with contributions from some private-sector organisations.
After arriving at the Accra International Airport, the returnees received reintegration support, including allowances, transport fares and other relief items to assist them in settling back home.
Sources indicate that South African authorities had offered to support Ghana with the repatriation of its citizens, but the offer was declined as the Ghanaian government chose to bear the cost of evacuating its nationals.
The decision was welcomed by many in Ghana, with the government receiving commendation for taking swift action to protect citizens and facilitate their safe return amid the attacks.
South Africa is now pursuing reimbursement from the five countries as part of efforts to recoup some of the substantial expenditure incurred in transporting and supporting foreign nationals who requested assistance to return home.
The development highlights the financial pressures associated with large-scale migrant repatriation and the growing efforts by South African authorities to share the costs with countries whose nationals benefit from such programmes.
