South Africa announces deportation of more than 53,000 migrants

The South African government announced yesterday that it had “deported or repatriated more than 53,000 foreigners to their home countries since the launch of the ‘Migration Management’ campaign five weeks ago, in response to the demands of protesters in the country.”

Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mamoloko Kubayi said at a press conference in Pretoria that “procedures for the deportation of more than 53,000 foreigners, mostly from Malawi, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique, have been completed,” adding that “the number could rise as deportation and repatriation operations continue.”

The minister clarified that “the government is striving to achieve organized and regular migration that takes into account the concerns of the South African people while respecting human rights and the dignity of all residents of the country, regardless of their nationality or legal status.”

She added that “the deportation and repatriation process has helped apprehend individuals wanted by the police on criminal charges,” emphasizing that “authorities will continue to enforce immigration laws,” but warned protesters against carrying out unauthorized searches of homes and businesses suspected of harboring undocumented migrants.

For its part, the United Nations warned against using migrants as scapegoats for the social and economic challenges facing South Africa, while anti-immigration activists threatened to organize weekly protests to pressure the government into meeting their demands amid fears that the demonstrations could turn violent.

South Africa is the wealthiest country on the continent and has long attracted migrants seeking better economic opportunities, some of whom enter the country illegally.