The South African government announced that more than 53,000 foreign nationals have been processed for deportation and repatriation since initiating a “migration management” campaign five weeks ago, according to Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi. The majority of those processed were from Malawi, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique, with officials indicating the figure is expected to grow as operations continue.
The enforcement action follows sustained anti-immigration protests that have included violence, intimidation and looting. Demonstrators have called for stricter border controls and mass deportations, attributing various social problems including high unemployment, rising crime rates and degraded public services to the presence of migrants. Some protest organizers established an “unofficial deadline” of earlier this month for undocumented migrants to depart the country, prompting some foreign nationals to leave to avoid violence and threats. Several African nations, including Ghana, Nigeria, Uganda and Kenya, have undertaken repatriation flights for their citizens during recent weeks.
Minister Kubayi stated that the enforcement process has also led to apprehending individuals wanted by police for alleged criminal activity. She emphasized that authorities will continue enforcing immigration laws while maintaining respect for human rights and dignity, and cautioned protesters against conducting unauthorized searches of residences and businesses suspected of harboring undocumented migrants.
The United Nations has warned against attributing South Africa’s socioeconomic difficulties to migrants. Anti-migrant activists have threatened to organize weekly protests to pressure the government until demands are met, raising concerns about potential escalation to violence. President Cyril Ramaphosa has acknowledged public concerns regarding immigration while condemning violence against migrants and urging citizens not to take enforcement into their own hands. South Africa, the continent’s wealthiest nation, has historically attracted migrants seeking economic advancement, with some entering illegally.