Over 90% of repatriated Ghanaians found undocumented at OR Tambo

The Border Management Authority (BMA) says more than 90% of the 300 Ghanaian nationals processed for repatriation at OR Tambo International Airport on Wednesday were found to be undocumented, highlighting the scale of immigration non-compliance facing South African authorities.

The BMA confirmed that 295 passengers were cleared to leave the country, while five travellers were prevented from boarding after failing to meet legal immigration requirements.

The group forms part of a more than 800 Ghanaian nationals who registered for voluntary repatriation and were flown back to Ghana on a chartered flight facilitated by the Ghanaian government through its High Commission in Pretoria.

BMA Commissioner, Michael Masiapato, says most of the travellers had overstayed their visas by more than 30 days, while some had allegedly remained in the country illegally for over a year.

The repatriation follows a wave of anti-illegal immigration protests in parts of South Africa, with civil society groups, including March and March and AmaBhinca Nation demanding that undocumented foreign nationals leave the country by 30 June.

The operation was delayed after many travellers were found without valid travel documents, prompting the Ghanaian Embassy to issue Emergency Travel Certificates to facilitate their return.

Officials say one man was stopped from departing because he still held a valid asylum seeker permit, meaning authorities could not allow him leave without first withdrawing his protection application.

Another traveller was denied departure after arriving with an expired passport and no emergency travel document issued by the Ghanaian embassy.

The BMA says those who overstayed in South Africa were declared “undesirable” in line with the Immigration Act, warning that immigration laws will continue to be strictly enforced at the country’s ports of entry.

“This decisive action underscores the BMA’s uncompromising implementation of the South African legislative framework,” said Masiapato.

A second group is expected to depart for Ghana later this week.

The Commissioner of the Border Management Authority (BMA),
Dr Michael Masiapato has confirmed that the BMA has this morning successfully processed 300 Ghanaians from South
Africa to Ghana at OR Tambo International Airport.

Out of the 300, 25 of them came from Lindela holding… pic.twitter.com/ThYBUaSF8b

— Chrispin Phiri 🇿🇦 (@Chrispin_JPhiri) May 27, 2026

🔴ICYMI
Ghanaians who took the Fly from South Africa to Ghana on a flight, they look happy 🤧🤧pic.twitter.com/FLv4pj9j2S

— FighterGiveUsASignal (@athenkosi591) May 27, 2026

Ghana wishes our cherished citizens a safe flight from South Africa.

We cannot wait to warmly welcome you all to our beloved nation.

Come let’s celebrate Eid al-Adha together.

We love our citizens.

For God and Country. pic.twitter.com/qnmVMfbisO

— Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa (@S_OkudzetoAblak) May 27, 2026