South Africa has repatriated 2,745 foreign nationals in the week following President Cyril Ramaphosa’s pledge to intensify efforts against illegal immigration, Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber announced on Sunday.
As one of Africa’s largest economies, South Africa has long attracted migrant workers from across the continent, both legally and illegally. However, with unemployment remaining above 30 percent, the country has experienced recurring outbreaks of anti-immigrant sentiment and violence, including fresh incidents in recent weeks.
Groups of South Africans carrying sticks, whips and shields have marched through several communities, demanding that undocumented migrants leave the country by June 30.
The unrest has heightened security concerns, with reports of businesses being looted and foreign nationals targeted. As a result, citizens of Nigeria, Malawi, Ghana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique have accepted voluntary repatriation programmes organised by their respective governments.
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“As of last night, the number we can report is 2,745 repatriations that have come in this period since the president spoke,” Schreiber told reporters, adding that the figure continues to change.
Government officials said the majority of those repatriated were residing in South Africa illegally.
Among them are Malawian nationals, around 7,000 of whom have been sheltering in an open field in the eastern port city of Durban, according to an inter-ministerial migration committee established after Ramaphosa’s address.
The committee said eight buses arranged by the Malawian government began transporting citizens home on Sunday, while South Africa provided 10 additional buses to accelerate the process.
Many of those boarding the buses carried only small bags and essential belongings. Fortunate Chilenje, a 25-year-old from Malawi’s commercial capital, Blantyre, said she was relieved to be leaving after three years in South Africa.
“It’s better than living in fear here,” she said, noting that threats against foreign nationals had continued even within the camp.
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The South African government reiterated that it does not operate refugee camps and has no plans to establish temporary facilities despite the ongoing situation.
Another returnee, Laina Nala from southern Malawi, said she hoped to be dropped closer to her hometown rather than travelling onward to Blantyre because of transportation costs.
Meanwhile, Hassan Hasha, 27, said he was returning home despite still owing money linked to his journey to South Africa. He explained that he had spent only a few weeks in the country before anti-foreigner tensions escalated.
Last week, President Ramaphosa acknowledged public concerns over illegal immigration but warned that authorities would not tolerate vigilante actions or attempts to enforce the law outside official channels.
Tensions intensified after two Mozambicans were killed following a May 29 march against illegal migrants in the Western Cape town of Mossel Bay. Mozambican authorities have placed the death toll at five.
According to South Africa’s national statistics agency, more than three million foreign nationals live in the country, accounting for approximately 5.1 percent of the population.
Africanews
