South Africa reports 105,260 foreign nationals with legal permits

Data from South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs reveals that 105,260 foreign nationals currently hold legitimate immigration permits in the country. Of these permit holders, 56,614 are nationals from African countries, representing 53.8% of the total documented foreign population.

Zimbabwean nationals constitute the largest group of legal permit holders with 23,218 individuals. Other significant groups include nationals from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (7,306), Nigeria (5,242), Somalia (3,961), and Ethiopia (1,749). These figures come amid heightened public scrutiny and protests regarding undocumented migration and its impact on local services and employment.