South Africa now plans to charge Nigeria, Ghana, and several other African countries for expenses tied to holding and returning their undocumented citizens.
Officials say the move helps recover public funds after they handled returns for more than 100,000 people in recent years.
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation announced the policy under President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Authorities recently sent hundreds of Nigerians back to Lagos and around 1,000 Ghanaians home.
South African leaders point to rising pressure on jobs, housing, and local services as the main reason for stronger enforcement.
This step comes as tensions rise inside the country.
Many locals voice frustration over undocumented arrivals, and critics link some of the public anger to xenophobic incidents in past years.
Community groups and opposition voices have called for tighter rules to protect South African citizens first.
Nigeria and Ghana have not yet commented on the billing plan.
Analysts note that such charges could push origin countries to improve document checks and cooperation on returns.
For now, the policy underlines South Africa’s focus on managing its borders and limiting costs for taxpayers.
The development adds to wider talks across the continent about migration, national resources, and how nations handle movement between borders.
Officials say the goal remains orderly systems that respect each country’s needs.
Transitioning from enforcement to cooperation remains key as talks continue between the affected governments.
