South Africa Loses 178,000 Migrants as Crackdown Deports 19,000 and Protests Turn Violent
Updated
Updated · The Associated Press · Aug 8
South Africa Loses 178,000 Migrants as Crackdown Deports 19,000 and Protests Turn Violent
3 articles · Updated · The Associated Press · Aug 8
Summary
More than 178,000 African migrants have left South Africa in recent months, with home governments reporting 115,000 returns to Zimbabwe and 56,000 to Malawi since late May.
South Africa says about 19,000 were officially deported since April, while many others accepted repatriation offers after a crackdown on undocumented migration and anti-immigrant protests that included threats, attacks and arson.
3,000 people are still awaiting deportation near Johannesburg, and authorities have deployed about 6,300 inspectors nationwide to check workplaces for undocumented workers.
Children and patients are among the hardest hit: Malawi counted nearly 4,000 returned children under 5, Zimbabwe groups estimated 11,000 children back by mid-July, and aid groups warn HIV treatment has been abruptly interrupted.
The exodus is straining ties across Africa, with Ghana, Nigeria and Mozambique accusing South Africa of xenophobia even as President Cyril Ramaphosa promises tougher border controls, faster immigration courts and penalties for employers.