SA says Over 53,000 foreigners Deported in Migration Campaign

The South African government announces that more than 53,000 foreign nationals have been deported since launching a "migration management" campaign five weeks ago.

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‎South Africa is carrying out one of its biggest disciplinary actions on undocumented migrants in years, following weeks of anti-immigration protests that have seen violence, intimidation and looting.

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‎Justice and Constitutional Development Minister,  Mmamoloko Kubayi announced on Sunday that 53,499 foreign nationals have been processed for deportation and repatriation, "which is dominated by the Malawians, followed by Zimbabweans and Mozambicans". , and the number is likely to rise as repatriations and deportations continue.

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‎Protesters have been demanding tighter border controls and mass deportations, accusing migrants of contributing to high unemployment, rising crime rates and collapse of public services.

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‎The United Nations has warned against using migrants as scapegoats for South Africa's socioeconomic challenges.

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‎The Anti-migrant activists have threatened to stage weekly protests to pressure the government until their demands are met, and there are fears the protests could turn violent.

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‎The demonstrators had set an "unofficial deadline" of 30 June for all undocumented migrants to leave the country, which has seen many foreigners leave to escape violence and intimidation.

‎Several countries, including Ghana, Nigeria, Uganda and Kenya, have flown their citizens home in recent weeks.

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‎Kubayi, also said that the repatriation and deportation process has helped them catch people who were wanted by the police for alleged criminal activity.

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‎She added that the authorities will continue to enforce its immigration laws,  but warned that protesters should not conduct unauthorized searches of homes and businesses that are suspected of sheltering undocumented migrants.

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‎However, South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa has acknowledged public concerns about immigration but has condemned attacks against migrants, warning citizens against taking the law into their own hands.

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