More than 160 000 foreign nationals have left South Africa over the past two months as violent hostility against undocumented migrants escalated across the country, according to an AFP tally based on figures from repatriating governments.
The country has experienced weeks of nationwide protests, with several turning violent and claiming the lives of at least four migrants. Some foreign governments report the death toll is higher.
As xenophobic groups pressed their demand for undocumented migrants to leave by 30 June, citizens from other African countries flocked to consulates and community halls seeking transport home. Many carried only what they could manage, fearing for their lives.
The largest numbers to depart were from Zimbabwe and Malawi, but hundreds more left from Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Mozambique, Nigeria and Uganda.
Mass exodus from neighbouring countries
Releasing updated figures on Tuesday, Zimbabwe’s cabinet said 108 366 of its people had returned home as of 18 July, with a majority self-repatriating.
Malawi announced on Monday that more than 46 890 citizens had returned since early June, with the government providing 699 buses for the long journey home. Six people died in transit.
Nearly 2 000 Mozambicans also returned, according to South African government figures. Some crossed the border with help from their government after two Mozambican nationals were killed at the end of May in violence following a protest in the southern town of Mossel Bay.
They were the first people to die in South Africa’s latest wave of xenophobic violence.
Authorities later confirmed the deaths of an Ethiopian and a Malawian in incidents linked to “anti-foreigner sentiment”.
Governments dispute death toll
Nigeria has said two of its nationals were killed in “the ongoing xenophobic protests and attacks of migrants”. Ghana said one of its citizens died in a Cape Town township in “anti-immigrant demonstrations linked to ongoing xenophobic attacks”.
South African authorities have rejected both allegations, warning of disinformation being spread online.
Nigeria has repatriated around 1 490 nationals, while Ghana has flown home at least 926, according to government figures.
Both countries have demanded that the issue of “Afrophobia” be discussed at the next African Union summit. Ghana has postponed a planned visit by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.
The wealthiest country on the continent, South Africa has long been a destination for documented and undocumented African workers searching for employment they cannot find at home.
Vigilante groups claim migrants drive up crime and take jobs from locals, fuelling tensions in townships struggling with poverty, unemployment and weak policing.
Analysts say migrants are being scapegoated for South Africa’s deep economic and governance challenges, including unemployment above 30% and massive failures in the delivery of basic services.
First coordinated repatriation effort
Demonstrations, initially low-key, began last year when undocumented foreign nationals were blocked from accessing clinics and hospitals. Protests intensified ahead of the 30 June deadline and have continued since.
The anti-immigrant March and March group has vowed to organise weekly demonstrations until local government elections in November.
Waves of xenophobic violence have swept South Africa over the past decades. In 2008, 62 people were killed in anti-immigrant riots and thousands were displaced. Further outbreaks followed in 2015 and 2016.
Violence in 2019 saw armed mobs descend on foreign-owned businesses around Johannesburg, leaving at least 12 people dead, 10 of them South African citizens.
This is the first time such threats have prompted several governments to simultaneously organise coordinated voluntary repatriations for thousands of their nationals.
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