Unrest and opposition to immigrants continue to increase in South Africa. This is reported by Deutsche Welle (DW) and Radio France Internationale (RFI).
The governments of Nigeria and Ghana are offering to fly citizens home from South Africa following a wave of attacks directed at immigrants.
More than 1,000 Nigerians in South Africa have registered for a voluntary repatriation programme, Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated on Friday.
Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and South African immigration authorities are conducting an assessment to determine who qualifies for the programme.
South African authorities have agreed to waive penalties for visa violations, such as remaining in the country longer than permitted. Individuals facing criminal charges will, however, not be eligible to leave the country.
“The total number is not yet clear,” said Kimiebi Ebienfa, a spokesperson for Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “We expect more than a thousand people.”
South Africa has experienced a new wave of protests against illegal immigrants this year. Some of these protests have become violent.
Victims have described aggressive crowds going from door to door demanding that African migrants leave the country.
The demonstrators accuse African immigrants of committing crime and taking their jobs – claims reinforced by high unemployment, poverty and ineffective policing.
South Africa has one of the world’s highest unemployment rates, at around 33 per cent.
One group has even issued an ultimatum demanding that illegal migrants be deported by 30 June, raising fears of further violence.
In one incident in May, five Ethiopian immigrants were reportedly killed in Johannesburg. In June, Mozambique stated that five of its citizens were killed during anti-immigrant violence in the Western Cape.
South African authorities have condemned the violence and promised to crack down on “xenophobic acts”.
Ghana repatriated around 300 people on a flight to Accra last month.
Hundreds more Ghanaians are expected to follow.
Ethiopia is also preparing to repatriate its citizens, Ebienfa said.
Other countries, including Kenya, Lesotho and Zimbabwe, have likewise urged their citizens to exercise caution in South Africa.
The number of immigrants in South Africa is the subject of considerable speculation. Estimates range from 4 million to 15 million people.