Over 178,000 migrants left or were deported from South Africa over the course of several months
Over the past few months, more than 178,000 migrants from other African countries have left or been deported from the Republic of South Africa. These departures are taking place amid the government’s intensified crackdown on illegal migration and protests against migrants, some of which have been accompanied by violence, according to NDTV World.
According to data from the governments of the countries to which people are returning, more than 115,000 people have returned to neighboring Zimbabwe since the end of May, and more than 56,000 to Malawi. Nigeria, Ghana, Mozambique, and Lesotho have also reported the return of more than 1,000 of their citizens each from South Africa.
South Africa reported that it has officially deported about 19,000 people since April. Most of those who left the country took advantage of repatriation programs offered by South Africa or their countries of origin. At a migrant detention center near Johannesburg, approximately 3,000 people were still awaiting deportation. Authorities also deployed about 6,300 inspectors to conduct audits of employers regarding the possible illegal employment of undocumented individuals.
Protest groups claim that undocumented migrants are taking away jobs and placing an additional burden on public services. At the same time, human rights activists reported threats and attacks against migrants during door-to-door campaigns, as well as arson attacks on their homes and businesses—including those of people who were in the country legally.
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The Mozambican government reported the deaths of 11 of its citizens as a result of attacks in South Africa; Nigeria and Ghana also reported the deaths of their citizens. South African authorities have disputed these figures, stating that some of the deaths may have been related to crimes, such as robberies, rather than protests against migrants. The police are investigating some of the killings.
UNICEF and the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child have expressed concern about the situation of children affected by these returns. According to Malawi, nearly 4,000 children under the age of five were among those who arrived from South Africa. The nongovernmental organization Zimbabwe Exemption Permit Coordinating Committee estimated that more than 11,000 children had returned to Zimbabwe by mid-July. Medical professionals and humanitarian organizations also warn that some migrants left without medication or medical records, which could interrupt their HIV treatment. “Doctors Without Borders” set up medical tents at the Beitbridge border crossing in Zimbabwe.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa condemned the violence against migrants, while acknowledging the government’s shortcomings in enforcing immigration laws. He promised to strengthen border security with technology and personnel, establish new immigration courts to speed up deportations, and impose stricter penalties on employers who hire undocumented workers.
