More than 160,000 foreign nationals have left South Africa in the past two months amid escalating violence and hostility targeting undocumented migrants, according to an aggregated tally based on data from repatriating countries. The unrest, which unfolded across several regions, has resulted in the deaths of at least four migrants, though some governments report higher casualties.
The surge in xenophobic violence intensified as local groups demanded that undocumented migrants leave the country by June 30. Many migrants, fearing for their safety, sought refuge at consulates and community centers, often carrying only essential belongings. The largest numbers returning were from Zimbabwe and Malawi, with thousands also coming from Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Mozambique, Nigeria, and Uganda.
Zimbabwe’s cabinet reported that by July 18, more than 108,000 of its nationals had returned home, most through self-repatriation efforts. Malawi’s government announced that over 46,890 of its citizens had been repatriated since early June, facilitating the journey with the provision of 699 buses. During transit, six Malawians reportedly died. South African government figures indicated that nearly 2,000 Mozambican nationals have also returned.
The recent violence claimed its first victims at the end of May, when two Mozambicans were killed following a protest in Mossel Bay, a town in South Africa’s Western Cape province. Additional deaths include one Ethiopian and one Malawian, as confirmed by South African authorities, while Nigeria and Ghana have each reported fatalities among their nationals during the unrest. Nigeria has asserted that two of its citizens died amid the attacks, and Ghana reported one death in a Cape Town township. South African officials, however, have dismissed these claims, cautioning against the spread of misinformation online.
Beyond repatriations, Nigeria has facilitated the return of approximately 1,490 nationals, while Ghana has flown back at least 926 citizens. Both countries have called for the issue of “Afrophobia” to be addressed at the upcoming African Union summit. In a related diplomatic development, Ghana postponed a planned visit by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in response to the ongoing crisis.
South Africa, the continent’s most economically advanced nation, has historically attracted migrants seeking employment opportunities unavailable in their home countries. However, entrenched poverty, high unemployment—exceeding 30%—and inadequate public services have fueled resentment in some communities. Vigilante groups blame migrants for rising crime and job scarcity, contributing to tensions in township areas grappling with systemic challenges.
The current wave of violence follow a pattern seen in prior outbreaks, notably in 2008 when 62 people were killed and thousands displaced, as well as in 2015 and 2016. The recent protests began modestly last year amid reports of undocumented migrants being denied access to healthcare services. The situation escalated in the lead-up to the June 30 ultimatum, with anti-immigrant groups such as the March and March coalition vowing to hold weekly demonstrations through the November local government elections.