JOHANNESBURG - Most of the 300 repatriated Ghanaians were found to have overstayed
Border Management Authority (BMA) Commissioner, Dr Mike Masiapato, said most of the Ghanaians repatriated from South Africa had overstayed and had been declared undesirable in terms of the Immigration Act.
"Out of the 300, 25 of them came from the Lindela holding facility and were brought by the Immigration Inspectorate of the Department of Home Affairs. Furthermore, 275 were brought by the Ghanaian High Commissioner," he said.
READ | First 300 Ghanaians arrive in Accra after SA repatriation
Masiapato said 295 passengers were found to be eligible to depart and left on a chartered flight from OR Tambo International Airport arranged by the Ghanaian government.
Five travellers were refused departure.
The reasons for the refusal include:
- One passenger had a valid asylum seeker permit. As such, he could not be allowed to depart without cancelling his application for protection in South Africa.
- One passenger did not have a valid travel document as his passport had expired
- One woman attempted to depart the country with two children, whom she alleged belonged to her sister. However, she didn’t have any documents to prove any relation.
Masiapato said the five travellers were handed back to the Ghanaian High Commissioner for future repatriation should they meet the relevant requirements.