First Group of Ghanaians Repatriated From South Africa Amid Rising Anti-Immigrant Tensions
The Government of Ghana has begun the repatriation of its citizens from South Africa following growing fears over escalating anti-immigrant protests sweeping across several South African cities.
The first batch of Ghanaians, part of more than 800 nationals who reportedly registered for evacuation, were scheduled to depart from Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport on Wednesday morning under arrangements coordinated by the Ghana High Commission.
Eyewitnesses reported seeing several buses organised by the Ghanaian embassy transporting passengers to the airport in the early hours of Wednesday. The group included men, women and children, while a smaller number of individuals arrived separately under police supervision.
The repatriation exercise comes in the wake of renewed demonstrations against undocumented migrants in South Africa, raising concerns about a possible resurgence of xenophobic violence that has previously rocked the country.
According to Ghanaian officials, an initial group of about 300 citizens was expected to leave first, while additional registered individuals continue to undergo screening before subsequent departures.
Many of those leaving expressed fears for their safety and uncertainty about their future in South Africa. One Ghanaian resident, Rudolph, who has lived in the country for a decade and operated a salon business, said the worsening atmosphere forced him to make the difficult decision to return home.
“It’s not comfortable for us to stay here anymore, so we have to go. I think we will find peace at home,” he said, adding that he does not intend to return to South Africa.
South Africa is estimated to host about 25,000 Ghanaians, many of whom are engaged in small businesses and informal economic activities.
The protests, led by a movement known as “March and March,” have intensified calls for stricter immigration enforcement. Organisers argue that illegal immigration is placing pressure on public services and employment opportunities for South Africans.
The group has reportedly issued a June 30 deadline for undocumented migrants to leave the country voluntarily, a development that has heightened fears among foreign nationals.
“The protests started in Durban and spread to other provinces. Definitely something bad could happen,” Rudolph warned.
Ghana’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Benjamin Quashie, said the Ghanaian government acted after receiving distress calls from citizens who feared for their lives and livelihoods.
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“The Ghanaian government listened to the plight of its citizens in South Africa, who felt their lives were in danger and their economic activities had come to a standstill,” he stated.
He further explained that Ghana has put measures in place to support returnees through reintegration programmes aimed at helping them restart businesses and rebuild their lives back home.
“The government is willing to establish them into whatever business they were doing in South Africa. In a way, we are also helping the South African economy because some of them are undocumented,” he added.
Analysts say the renewed anti-immigrant rhetoric may be linked to South Africa’s upcoming local elections scheduled for November, with immigration becoming an increasingly sensitive political issue.
South Africa has previously experienced deadly xenophobic attacks. In 2019, at least 12 people were killed during anti-foreigner violence, while 62 foreign nationals lost their lives in widespread attacks in 2008.
Although organisers of the recent demonstrations insist the protests have remained peaceful, concerns continue to mount among migrant communities across the country.
Earlier this month, the South African government condemned criminal attacks targeting foreigners while acknowledging the need to address illegal immigration concerns within the country.
