South Africa repatriates 2,745 foreigners in one week

South Africa has repatriated 2,745 foreign nationals in the past week, according to Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber. This action follows President Cyril Ramaphosa's directive for stricter measures against illegal immigration, a growing concern in a country grappling with an unemployment rate exceeding 30 percent.

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As of last night, the number we can report is 2,745 repatriations that have come in this period since the president spoke.

The repatriations largely involve Malawian citizens. Approximately 7,000 Malawians had been sheltering in an open field in Durban, the eastern port city. The Malawian government initiated the movement of its citizens on Sunday using eight buses, with South Africa providing an additional ten buses to expedite the process. On Sunday alone, about 560 people, including 200 children, began their journey home.

One repatriated individual, Fortunate Chilenje, expressed relief at leaving, stating, "It's better than living in fear here." She had resided in South Africa for three years and noted that threats had reached even the temporary shelter. The South African government has clarified it does not operate refugee camps and has no plans to establish them, even temporarily.

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It is a moving target.

The situation highlights ongoing tensions in South Africa, where sporadic anti-immigrant unrest has occurred. Mobs have previously issued deadlines for foreigners without proper documentation to leave the country. The voluntary repatriation efforts are being organized by the governments of affected nations, including Nigeria, Malawi, Ghana, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique, in response to escalating security fears and targeted violence against foreign nationals.

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I’m relieved we are finally leaving. It’s better than living in fear here.