The Department of Home Affairs says it has processed more than 3,400 undocumented foreign nationals at the Temporary Repatriation Centre in Musina, Limpopo, as part of its ongoing large-scale repatriation operation.
By Sunday, a total of 3,416 undocumented migrants had been processed, with 53 buses deployed to transport them to their countries of origin, including Zimbabwe and Malawi.
Limpopo provincial manager Albert Matsaung said four buses were used to repatriate Zimbabwean nationals, while the remaining 49 buses transported Malawian nationals.
"We managed to process 3,416 people at this facility, and 53 buses were used to transport them to their respective countries. Four buses were allocated to Zimbabwean nationals, while 49 buses were used to repatriate Malawians," Matsaung said.
Meanwhile, civil society organisation Kopanang Africa Against Xenophobia (KAAX) has expressed concern over the treatment of undocumented migrants, accusing the state of failing to meet its constitutional and legal obligations to protect everyone within South Africa's borders.
The concerns follow the transfer of more than 1,000 people, including 80 children, from the Malawi Consulate in Sandton to the Lindela Repatriation Centre, west of Johannesburg, on Friday evening.
KAAX alleges that some children were separated from their parents during the operation, which it says is contrary to the provisions of the Children's Act.
KAAX spokesperson Dr Dale McKinley said migrants were being moved between provinces without adequate planning, accommodation, protection or support.
He said the Children's Act requires that the best interests of children be prioritised at all times and that the Department of Social Development must be involved whenever children are detained.
McKinley warned that if families are not reunited promptly or the situation remains unresolved, the organisation will seek urgent court intervention to ensure that children's rights are protected.
The Department of Home Affairs has not yet responded publicly to the allegations raised by KAAX.