President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on regional leaders to help tackle migration to South Africa after weeks of anti-foreigner protests forced more than 176 000 people to flee the country.

The president addressed a summit of the 16-nation Southern African Development Community (SADC) in Durban on Monday, where he briefed leaders on what he described as the “challenge of migration”.

Regional cooperation needed

“We thanked countries in our region for their understanding of the challenges that we faced and, in some respects, continue to face,” Ramaphosa said as he closed the meeting.

“We also expressed regret at what has befallen us as a country. We expressed a wish that we should all work together to address the challenge of migration.”

The exodus followed weeks of protests by populist groups demanding that undocumented foreign nationals leave by 30 June. More than 176 000 people left in recent weeks, according to an AFP tally based on figures from African governments.

Protesters march to summit

About 300 anti-migrant protesters marched to the summit venue on Monday, calling on leaders to “fetch their people”. A helicopter and drones flew overhead as police on horseback and motorbikes controlled the small group.

“We are here to tell you to come and fetch your people who are here in South Africa illegally,” said march leader Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, one of the figures behind the recent protests.

She singled out Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe, whose citizens made up most of those who left. Some departed voluntarily whilst others were deported or helped out through government repatriation schemes.

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Deaths and criticism

At least four migrants were killed in the violence, according to South African police, though some foreign governments say the death toll is higher.

Ramaphosa said at a public lecture on Friday that South Africa was “deeply concerned and ashamed that nationals from other countries have in recent months been subjected to discrimination and ill-treatment”.

The government’s handling of the protests has been criticised by other African nations, notably Ghana and Nigeria, which are not SADC members.

South Africa, which took over the rotating SADC chairship at the summit, has called for an Africa-wide conference to address migration.

The continent’s wealthiest nation has long attracted migrants but battles an unemployment rate above 30% and massive inequality.

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