Over 53,000 Foreign Nationals Deported Since 30 June Crackdown
The South African government has confirmed that more than 53,000 foreign nationals have either been deported or voluntarily repatriated since the intensified immigration crackdown that followed the events surrounding the 30 June anti-illegal immigration protests.
Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi revealed that over 80% of those who left South Africa were citizens of Malawi, while others came from Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Nigeria, Uganda, and Kenya. Authorities have not provided an exact breakdown between those who were formally deported and those who chose voluntary repatriation.
The government says the operation forms part of its efforts to strengthen border security and enforce immigration laws. President Cyril Ramaphosa has also urged South Africans not to take the law into their own hands, warning against vigilante actions targeting foreign nationals.
The crackdown came after anti-illegal immigration groups declared 30 June as the deadline for undocumented foreign nationals to leave South Africa. Although the government rejected the deadline, thousands of migrants sought assistance to return to their home countries, while many undocumented individuals were processed for deportation.
Police have arrested hundreds of people in connection with public violence, intimidation, and illegal immigration checks carried out by civilians. Human rights organisations have expressed concern that some legally documented migrants have also been affected by the heightened anti-immigrant sentiment.
