Two families face deportation to South Africa as Ireland cracks whip
The axe of deportation to South Africa hangs over two families in Ireland, as Dublin tightens its grip on migration.
Ireland has significantly ramped up its immigration enforcement, with deportation orders surging by 96% in 2025. Amidst this crackdown, two South African families find themselves on opposite sides of fortune, highlighting the high stakes for expats seeking asylum in the Emerald Isle.
The Breetzke family, originally from Springs, is currently facing the blunt end of Irish law. After five years of living in a direct provision centre in County Cork, the family’s world was upended when the father and eldest son were arrested during a routine check-in at the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB).
The Breetzkes fled to Ireland citing fears of rape and murder following alleged threats on their South African farm. However, Irish authorities – who now deem South Africa a “safe country of origin” – rejected their application for a lack of evidence.
A heartbroken Madelein Breetzke, 25, told reporters: “If Ireland doesn’t want me that’s fine. But please remove the deportation order so I can claim asylum somewhere else,” fearing that a return to South Africa would be a “death sentence”.
Differing fortunes for Oyekanmi family amid deportation fears
In stark contrast, the Oyekanmi family has secured a last-minute reprieve. Titilayo Oluwakemi Oyekanmi and her three sons arrived in late 2023, fleeing violent xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
Despite an initial rejection and a deportation order issued last April, a massive “groundswell of support” from the Dublin community has forced a temporary stay of execution.
The family’s integration has been hailed as a “shining example”, particularly the athletic prowess of Joseph, 14, a scholarship student at Gonzaga College and a standout rugby talent. Their solicitor, Stephen Kirwan, noted that the level of community solidarity was “something like I’ve never seen before”.
For now, the family remains in Ireland until at least next month.
Australia, Ireland deportations
This hardening of borders is not unique to Ireland, who stripped South African passport holders of visa-free access in 2024.
In late 2025, South African civil engineer Matthew Gruter was expelled from Australia after his involvement with a neo-Nazi group.
Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke was uncompromising: “If a guest turns up to show hatred and wreck the household, they can be told ‘it’s time to go home’”. Gruter landed at OR Tambo in December 2025, accusing the media of endangering his family by “labelling” them.