Around 25,000 migrants have left South Africa in recent weeks over rising anti-immigrant sentiment that has resulted in the deaths of four people. One returnee from Zimbabwe recounts his experience.
News
Now back in Zimbabwe, Takesure Nyawo recalls the fear he and his family felt from the growing anti-immigrant sentiment in South Africa which prompted him to return with his family after living there as an undocumented migrant since 2017.
He is among thousands of migrants who left ahead of a June 30 deadline, set by a loose coalition of minor political parties and small citizen-led vigilante groups, for foreigners without residency papers to leave.
South Africa’s security forces said Monday that more than 25,000 people have been repatriated in recent weeks ahead of planned anti-immigrant protests, with many others still awaiting departure.
Details
The outflows come as thousands seek to leave over safety fears after citizen-led groups issued an unofficial ultimatum for undocumented foreigners to exit the country by June 30.
Several governments, including Nigeria, Malawi, Ghana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique, have organised voluntary repatriation flights and buses after weeks of protests, looting and attacks targeting foreigners that have left four people dead.
“To date, more than 25,000 foreign nationals have been repatriated,” the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS), which coordinates between the police, military and intelligence agencies, said.
Analysis
Unauthorised vigilante visits
The latest figures mark a sharp increase from last week, when authorities said 15,000 Malawians had been processed. At least 988 Ghanaians and about 600 Nigerians left by plane earlier this month.
“This is an ongoing process,” NATJOINTS said, adding that specialised units, including K9 teams and the Air Wing, have been deployed.
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