South Africa Deports Over 53,000 Foreign Nationals in Migration Crackdown

The South African government announced that more than 53,000 foreign nationals have been deported or voluntarily repatriated since launching a 'migration management' campaign five weeks ago. The majority of those processed are from Malawi, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique, according to officials, who expect the number to rise as operations continue.

This crackdown on undocumented migrants is one of the largest in recent years, following weeks of anti-immigration protests marked by violence, intimidation, and looting. Demonstrators have demanded tighter border controls and mass deportations, accusing migrants of exacerbating high unemployment, rising crime, and strained public services.

The United Nations has cautioned against using migrants as scapegoats for South Africa's socioeconomic challenges. Anti-migrant activists have threatened weekly protests to pressure the government, raising fears of further violence. Some groups set an unofficial deadline of 30 June for all undocumented migrants to leave, prompting many foreigners to flee to avoid attacks.

Several countries, including Ghana, Nigeria, Uganda, and Kenya, have repatriated their citizens in recent weeks. Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi stated on Sunday that 53,499 foreign nationals have been processed for deportation or repatriation, 'which is dominated by the Malawians, followed by Zimbabweans and Mozambicans.'

'We are striving to achieve an orderly and regular migration which is mindful and sensitive to the concerns raised by our people, while observing human rights and dignity of all people in our country, irrespective of their citizenship and immigration status,' Kubayi told a news conference in Pretoria. She added that the process had helped apprehend individuals wanted for criminal activity, and that authorities would continue enforcing immigration laws. However, she warned against unauthorised searches of homes and businesses suspected of sheltering undocumented migrants.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has acknowledged public concerns about immigration but condemned attacks on migrants, urging citizens not to take the law into their own hands. South Africa, the continent's wealthiest nation, has long attracted migrants seeking better economic opportunities, including those who enter illegally.