South Africa’s International Relations Minister has revealed that a significant majority of Ghanaian nationals recently repatriated from the country were found to have overstayed their visas.
According to the minister, about 74% of the Ghanaians who were returned did not comply with visa conditions, with most of them remaining in the country beyond their permitted stay.
The disclosure comes amid ongoing immigration enforcement actions in South Africa, where authorities have intensified efforts to identify and remove foreign nationals who are in the country illegally or without valid documentation.
South African immigration officials have previously indicated that large portions of repatriated groups from Ghana were either undocumented or had overstayed their visas, in some cases by several months or even years.
The recent repatriations were carried out through coordinated arrangements involving South African border authorities and Ghana’s diplomatic missions, with affected individuals issued emergency travel documents to facilitate their return.
Officials say the operations are part of broader measures to enforce immigration laws while managing diplomatic relations with affected countries.
The issue has drawn public and political attention in both countries, as debates continue over migration, enforcement, and the treatment of foreign nationals in South Africa.
