Ghanaians repatriated from South Africa after anti-immigrant protests

JOHANNESBURG — Ghanaian nationals queued at OR Tambo International Airport early Wednesday to board one of the first flights back home, following a surge in anti-immigrant protests across South Africa that has raised safety concerns among foreign communities.

The group of about 300 people included women and children. Authorities described the operation as a voluntary repatriation process for Ghanaian citizens who said they no longer felt safe amid growing tensions.

South African and Ghanaian officials have been coordinating a list of approximately 800 individuals who have expressed interest in leaving the country. The effort comes as part of broader attempts to manage the humanitarian and diplomatic implications of the recent unrest.

A South African immigration official, speaking anonymously on local television station eNCA, said only a small portion of those repatriated were in compliance with immigration laws. “What we found is that of the 300, only 10 of them are legal in the country, so quite a number of them are in non-compliance to our immigration act,” the official said.

The departures follow weeks of demonstrations by groups calling for stricter enforcement against undocumented migration. Protesters have argued that foreign nationals contribute to crime and unemployment, claims that have been widely disputed by rights organizations.

The unrest has also been accompanied by reported incidents of violence targeting migrants from other sub-Saharan African countries, further intensifying concerns among immigrant communities.

One Ghanaian participant, who declined to be identified, said repeated harassment had influenced the decision to return home. “I’m happy that I’m going to my country. It’s not easy to be in someone else’s country and be disturbed all the time,” he said.

Migrant rights groups have warned that foreigners are being unfairly blamed for South Africa’s economic challenges, particularly high unemployment, which remains above 30% and disproportionately affects the Black population.

Ghana’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Benjamin Quashie, said the repatriations were intended to ease tensions while maintaining strong diplomatic relations between the two countries. He emphasized that cooperation between governments remained intact despite the situation.

“The demonstrators have said they want us to work together. We must ensure that those who are undocumented are returned home and that institutions are allowed to function,” Quashie said, dismissing suggestions of a diplomatic rift.

South African authorities have condemned violence against foreign nationals and pledged to intensify efforts to prevent xenophobic attacks, stressing that such actions have no place in the country’s constitutional democracy. -Reporting by Siyabonga Sishi and Siphiwe Sibeko; Additional reporting by Anathi Madubela; Writing by Bate Felix; Editing by Alison Williams/Reuters