More than 178,000 African immigrants have departed South Africa in recent months, driven by a government crackdown on undocumented migration and heightened anti-immigrant sentiment, according to reports from their home countries. This marks one of the most significant outflows of migrants from South Africa in years.
Neighboring Zimbabwe has received over 115,000 returnees since late May, while Malawi has seen more than 56,000 citizens come back. Nigeria, Ghana, Mozambique, and Lesotho have also reported over a thousand citizens returning from South Africa. These departures are a mix of individuals officially deported by South African authorities and those who accepted repatriation offers. South Africa stated that approximately 19,000 people had been formally deported since April.
Advocacy groups have voiced significant concerns regarding the welfare of those displaced, particularly for thousands of children removed from schools and HIV patients facing interruptions to critical treatment. This situation highlights the complexities of intra-African migration, drawing attention away from the ongoing migration flows from Africa to Europe.
Anti-illegal migration protests have become more frequent in South Africa, with nationwide demonstrations on June 30 being declared a deadline for undocumented migrants to leave. Protesters claim that undocumented migrants contribute to the country's high unemployment and strain public services. For decades, South Africa, as the region's economic hub, has attracted millions of migrants for low-wage work in sectors like agriculture, hospitality, and construction. The 2022 census indicated 2.4 million foreign nationals in a population of 62 million, though critics argue the number of undocumented migrants is significantly higher.
The protests have sometimes devolved into mob actions, with rights groups reporting threats, attacks, and the burning of homes and businesses belonging to migrants, including some who were in the country legally. Mozambique's government reported 11 Mozambicans killed in attacks in South Africa, with Nigeria and Ghana also reporting citizen deaths. South Africa has contested these figures, suggesting some fatalities were linked to unrelated criminal activities.
These events have led to diplomatic friction, with some African nations accusing South Africa of xenophobia. Ghana's attempt to place the issue on the agenda of an October African Union meeting was blocked by South Africa, though the latter called for broader discussions on migration within Africa.
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the U.N. Committee on the Rights of the Child have expressed deep concern for the children affected, noting the increased risks of violence, exploitation, family separation, and psychological distress associated with sudden and uncoordinated movements.
Malawi reported nearly 4,000 children under five among its returnees, while a Zimbabwean NGO estimated over 11,000 children had returned to that country by mid-July. Governments have instructed schools to accommodate these returning children.
Health officials and aid organizations are worried about migrants leaving without medication or medical records, potentially disrupting HIV treatment in a region heavily affected by the virus. Doctors Without Borders has set up clinics at the Zimbabwe border to assist traumatized individuals who have lost access to essential chronic medication.
South African authorities are currently holding approximately 3,000 individuals awaiting deportation near Johannesburg. Around 6,300 inspectors have been deployed nationwide to verify workplace compliance with immigration laws.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has condemned violence against migrants and acknowledged government shortcomings in enforcing immigration laws. He has pledged to enhance border security with more technology and personnel, establish new immigration courts for faster deportations, and implement stricter penalties for employers of undocumented migrants.