The Border Management Authority (BMA) has processed 72,906 repatriations through South Africa's ports of entry between 7 June and 14 July, as government continues to strengthen migration enforcement efforts.
The figures were announced by Minister of Human Settlements and chair of the Interministerial Committee (IMC) on Migration, Mmamoloko Kubayi, during a media briefing in Pretoria.
Kubayi said the repatriations formed part of ongoing operations aimed at managing migration in a lawful and coordinated manner.
She also revealed that law enforcement agencies had arrested hundreds of foreign nationals in connection with alleged criminal activities.
"Law enforcement authorities have registered 354 cases of arrests and prosecutions are still pending. An additional 69 people were arrested in Jeffreys Bay last weekend and appeared in court on Monday," Kubayi said.
The minister warned against interfering with the work of law enforcement officers, saying those who obstruct authorities would face legal consequences.
"We would like to issue a strong warning against those who undermine the work of our law enforcement officers or otherwise face the consequences," she said.
Kubayi added that government, together with its social partners, is providing assistance to vulnerable foreign nationals who have been displaced or affected by recent tensions in parts of the country.
She reiterated government's commitment to implementing a migration system that is secure, humane and consistent with the country's constitutional values.
"Government is firmly committed to implementing a migration system that is secure, humane, lawful and aligned with the values of our Constitution," she said.
Meanwhile, Kubayi confirmed that a petition submitted by two Ghanaian nationals to the International Criminal Court (ICC), seeking an investigation into years of xenophobic violence in South Africa, had not succeeded.
"We have been advised legally that this filing fails to satisfy the statutory legal triggers and jurisdictional requirements necessary for action by the court," she said.