JOHANNESBURG, Aug. 7 (Xinhua) -- South Africa has repatriated 77,184 undocumented foreign nationals to various countries as of Aug. 3, the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) said Friday.
Briefing the media in Pretoria, Deputy National Police Commissioner Tebello Mosikili, who also serves as NATJOINTS co-chairperson, said 18,816 people were formally deported between April 1 and July 31, while 3,016 undocumented foreign nationals were awaiting deportation at the Lindela Repatriation Center.
Just over 500 people remain at a repatriation center in Musina, Limpopo Province, and will be returned to their respective countries in the coming days, Mosikili said.
"Government will continue enforcing immigration legislation while ensuring that all enforcement measures remain lawful, humane and consistent with the Constitution and applicable legislation," she said.
More than 16,208 undocumented foreign nationals were arrested in July under Operation Shanela and related multidisciplinary operations. From January to date, 59,947 undocumented foreign nationals have been arrested for being in the country illegally, according to NATJOINTS.
The government is also continuing workplace and business compliance inspections nationwide.
A total of 6,317 labor inspectors are conducting workplace inspections, while authorities continue to inspect spaza shops for compliance with municipal by-laws, food safety regulations, business licensing requirements and immigration laws. ■