RSA sends back over 2 thousand foreigners
South Africa has repatriated 2,745 foreign nationals in the week following President Cyril Ramaphosa’s commitment to implement stricter measures against illegal immigration, as stated by the country’s home affairs minister.
As one of Africa’s largest economies, South Africa has historically drawn migrant workers from various parts of the continent, both through legal and illegal means.
However, with an unemployment rate exceeding 30 percent, the nation has faced repeated episodes of anti-immigrant violence, including recent outbreaks in the past weeks.
Groups of South Africans armed with sticks, whips, and shields have paraded through certain areas, demanding that foreigners without residency permits vacate the country by June 30.
Increasing security concerns, following incidents of looting and targeting of foreigners, have led citizens from Nigeria, Malawi, Ghana, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique to accept voluntary repatriation facilitated by their respective governments.
“As of last night, we can confirm that 2,745 repatriations have occurred since the president’s announcement,” Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber informed reporters.
“It is a dynamic situation,” he added.
The government indicated that the majority of those repatriated were residing in the country illegally.
Among them are Malawian nationals, approximately 7,000 of whom have been living in an open field in Durban, as reported by an inter-ministerial migration committee established after the president’s speech.
On Sunday, eight buses arranged by the Malawian government began transporting its citizens, with South Africa contributing an additional 10 buses to expedite the deportation process, according to the committee.
Around 560 individuals, including roughly 200 children, made the journey on Sunday, as confirmed by Malawi Consul General Max Biwi.
A 25-year-old woman, who had resided in South Africa for three years, shared with AFP that threats to leave had followed her even at the camp, which is one of the largest to have emerged since the unrest began.
