Over 178,000 Migrants Left South Africa in a Short Period of Time

More than 178,000 African migrants have left South Africa in recent months amid a government crackdown on undocumented migration and anti-immigration protests, Daily Sabah reported.

The figures came from authorities in the migrants’ home countries. Zimbabwe said more than 115,000 of its citizens had returned since late May, while Malawi reported more than 56,000 returns, and Nigeria, Ghana, Mozambique and Lesotho each reported more than 1,000, according to AP.

The returns include people deported by South African authorities and migrants who used voluntary repatriation programs offered by South Africa or their home countries. Voluntary returns accounted for the vast majority, while South Africa said this week that about 19,000 people had been officially deported since April.

In South Africa, groups protesting illegal migration held nationwide demonstrations on June 30, which they called a “deadline” for migrants in the country illegally to leave. The groups said undocumented migrants take jobs and strain public services in a country whose 2022 census counted 2.4 million foreign nationals in a population of 62 million.

Rights groups said protests were accompanied by door-to-door campaigns by mobs, threats, attacks and the burning of migrant homes or businesses, including those of some legal migrants. Mozambique said 11 of its citizens were killed in attacks in South Africa, while Nigeria and Ghana also reported deaths; South Africa disputed the numbers and said some deaths were linked to crimes such as robberies.

UNICEF and the U.N. Committee on the Rights of the Child said children caught up in the returns face risks of violence, exploitation, family separation and psychological distress, “particularly when movements are sudden, undocumented and uncoordinated.” Doctors Without Borders set up clinic tents at Zimbabwe’s Beitbridge border post for people “who are traumatized” after losing access to HIV medication and treatment for other chronic conditions.