Repatriation flight to Ghana delayed as Home Affairs tightens verification checks
A repatriation flight at OR Tambo International Airport was delayed on Wednesday morning after immigration authorities conducted extended verification and compliance checks on passengers scheduled to depart.
Ghanaian authorities are repatriating the first group of its citizens who have asked to return home from South Africa. More than 800 Ghanaians had registered for voluntary evacuation, with 300 supposed to depart on a repatriation flight on Wednesday.
The Department of Home Affairs says the delay was necessary to ensure that all individuals on the flight met legal requirements and were correctly cleared for departure.
Speaking to SABC News, immigration enforcement officer Stephen van Neel said the process involved multiple departments, including the South African Police Service and other security agencies, to confirm passenger identities and immigration status.
"It was important for us that we go through the process of verifications and checks and make sure that those who are departing are indeed people that we can allow to depart."
Van Neel says officials worked through the night after receiving a list of around 300 individuals scheduled for repatriation. However, inconsistencies in the list led to amendments before departure could proceed.
He says the verification process is part of standard immigration enforcement procedures aimed at ensuring compliance with South African law.
According to Van Neel, only a small number of individuals on the list were found to be legally compliant.
"What we have found is that of the 300 individuals that are on that list, we only found 10 of them to be legal in the country. The rest of them are all illegal, without documents or have overstayed."
He says those found to be in violation of immigration laws will face penalties under the Immigration Act, including possible bans on re-entering South Africa.
"Any person in terms of the Immigration Act that overstays in the country… will be banned from the country and not be allowed to come back."
Van Neel added that officials had already engaged with diplomatic representatives to prepare for a second repatriation flight expected on Sunday, and that authorities were urging passenger lists be verified in advance to avoid further delays.
Home Affairs says it hopes improved coordination will ensure smoother processing for upcoming departures while maintaining strict adherence to immigration procedures.
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