Johannesburg – At least 69 undocumented foreign nationals who were awaiting deportation escaped from the Lindela Repatriation Centre in Krugersdorp at the weekend.
Commenting on the incident, the Department of Home Affairs on Wednesday confirmed that undocumented foreign nationals escaped from the repatriation centre around 11:50 on Sunday, (17 March 2024).
Lindela is managed by facilities management company EnvironMongz, which also provides security services on behalf of the Department.
“Our investigation revealed there was an altercation between the inmates and EnvironMongz management and its security team,” the department said in a statement.
“It was during this altercation that 69 undocumented foreign nationals escaped.”
Those who escaped on Sunday are from the following countries:
Country of origin Number of escapees
- Tanzania 38
- Malawi 14
- Zimbabwe 5
- Mozambique 3
- Lesotho 2
- Burundi 3
- DRC 3
- Nigeria 1
EnviroMongz has since informed the department that earlier on Monday morning there was another attempted escape, which was immediately brought under control.
“One of the deportees succumbed to injuries that allegedly happened during the second attempted escape,” the department said.
“This incident is now the subject of a police investigation in addition to how the escape of 17 March 2024 occurred.
“As part of the probe, police have arrested two security officers and they are in custody.”
The Department said it was unhappy about the circumstances and the manner under which this escape happened because “we believe enough could have been done by the management company and its security to prevent this incident”.
As a result, the department said the contract with EnviroMongz to manage Lindela was being scrutinised to decide on the best course of action.
The Department said it has taken over the access control and other security functions at the facility by putting a different security company at the gate while the matter is still being investigated.
At the time of the escape, the facility was holding 1 521 undocumented foreign nationals who were awaiting deportation. The 69 escapees were part of this group.
The department said most of these undocumented foreign nationals were scheduled to be deported this week.
“Despite the event that took place over the weekend, the Department is still proceeding with this scheduled plan to deport to countries of origin,” the statement said.
The scheduled deportations were to Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Eswatini and Zimbabwe.
As part of this scheduled plan, 622 deportees have departed the facility.
Last week, the Department deported 1 050 individuals to Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe.
Meanwhile, the Department is working with other law enforcement agencies to track down the escapees.
“As a result, one escapee has already been re-arrested,” the department said.
