Hundreds of Malawian nationals gathered outside their country’s embassy in Johannesburg on, seeking assistance to return home as South Africa intensified its crackdown on undocumented migrants amid rising anti-immigrant tensions.
One of those waiting, Bashil Austin, appealed to the Malawian government to help out citizens who no longer feel safe in South Africa and want to return home.
South African authorities said in a statement on Sunday that more than 53,000 African migrants had been deported or had chosen to repatriate themselves in the space of one month as part of an immigration enforcement campaign.
The Justice Minister said more than 80 percent of the people returned were Malawian nationals but officials did not say how many were formally deported and how many returned voluntarily.
The repatriation exercise comes at a time of a wave of protests against illegal migration, some of which turned violent and heightened fears among foreign nationals living in the country.
Several African governments have arranged transport to bring their citizens home since there have been increasing reports of xenophobic attacks and insecurity.
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South African police are probing the deaths of three migrants, two Mozambicans and one Malawian, during the unrest.
Nigeria has also said two of its nationals died in the violence, a claim denied by South African authorities who said the deaths were not related to the protests.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has recently announced plans to beef up border security and immigration laws, acknowledging growing concerns in the country about illegal migration. But he rejected assertions by anti-migrant groups that foreigners are responsible for South Africa’s high unemployment and crime rates, saying there is no evidence to back such claims.
The crackdown has strained diplomatic ties with several African nations, which have condemned what they say is growing xenophobia in South Africa.
Anti-migrant groups had earlier issued an ultimatum to undocumented migrants to leave the country by June 30, but the South African government had dismissed the deadline.
The announcement, however, saw thousands of Malawians flocking to a temporary immigration centre in Durban, many of whom sought voluntary repatriation while others were deported for not having valid immigration documents.
South Africa remains a top destination for migrants from all over Africa due to its relatively stronger economy, though there are recurring tensions around immigration.
