More than 178,000 immigrants have suddenly fled or been deported from South Africa
Authorities said 19,000 people were officially deported since April as anti-immigrant protests and a crackdown on undocumented migration drove the exodus.
- More than 178,000 African immigrants have left South Africa in recent months, driven by government crackdowns on undocumented migration and violent anti-immigrant protests that forced many to flee citing fears of attacks.
- Anti-Immigrant groups held nationwide demonstrations on June 30, setting a "deadline" for undocumented migrants to leave, claiming they contribute to high unemployment and pressure public services in South Africa.
- Doctors Without Borders established clinic tents at Zimbabwe's Beitbridge border to treat migrants "who are traumatized" after losing access to HIV medication, while aid groups report thousands of children were pulled from schools.
- South African President Cyril Ramaphosa condemned violence against migrants but conceded government failures in enforcing immigration laws, deploying around 6,300 inspectors to check workplaces and promising stricter penalties for employing undocumented workers.
- The mass departures strained relations with nations like Nigeria and Ghana, who accuse South Africa of xenophobia, even as international attention remains focused on migration crises elsewhere, including more than 70,000 people crossing into Ceuta.
28 Articles
28 Articles
In South Africa, hundreds of people marched in different cities demanding an end to violence and discrimination against migrants.
After the end of apartheid millions of Africans came to South Africa to find work. Now many leave the country. A search for traces shows how xenophobia and political failure reverse a historical migration movement.
Immigrant rights organizations have expressed many concerns about this sudden movement of people, including the situation of thousands of children who have been taken out of schools and HIV patients who have been left without access to life-saving treatment.
More than 178,000 African immigrants have left South Africa in recent months due to the authorities' crackdown on illegal migration and sometimes violent anti-immigration protests.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 39% of the sources lean Right
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
