The Border Management Authority (BMA) has confirmed the processing of 663 Ghanaian nationals for repatriation from South Africa to Ghana through OR Tambo International Airport over the weekend.
According to BMA Commissioner Dr Michael Masiapato, the operation was coordinated through the Port Management Committee, involving multiple government stakeholders responsible for managing lawful movement at ports of entry.
On Saturday, 6 June 2026, a group of 332 Ghanaian nationals was transported to the airport by the Ghanaian High Commission in Pretoria for processing and repatriation. Of these travellers, 170 held ordinary Ghanaian passports, while 162 were issued Emergency Travel Certificates to facilitate their return home.
The BMA reported that 321 of the individuals processed had overstayed their permitted period in South Africa by 30 days or more and were subsequently declared undesirable under the Immigration Act.
A total of 323 passengers were cleared for departure and boarded a chartered flight arranged by the Government of Ghana. However, nine individuals were removed from the flight due to medical reasons after airline personnel determined they were unfit to travel. They were later attended to by airport paramedics at the airport clinic.
The BMA says the operation forms part of ongoing enforcement and compliance measures aimed at ensuring orderly migration management at South Africa’s ports of entry.
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