Ghana Repatriates 300 Citizens from South Africa

Ghana will evacuate 300 citizens from South Africa after its president granted approval for their immediate removal. Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa posted on X on Tuesday that the "distressed" Ghanaians had registered at the Ghanaian embassy in Pretoria. The foreign ministry issued an advisory following the latest wave of xenophobic attacks.

The 300 citizens will be brought home in response to those attacks. On Tuesday, the Ghanaian embassy in South Africa advised nationals to be highly cautious, avoid public gatherings, and shut their shops or businesses in Durban ahead of a protest planned on Wednesday.

Thousands of South Africans joined protests against illegal immigration and demanded the mass deportation of undocumented foreign nationals.

Protesters say illegal immigration has had an impact on jobs, housing and crime. Last week, the anti-migrant movement March and March protested outside the Gauteng Provincial Legislature. Participants in the Gauteng protest included members of March and March, Operation Dudula, ActionSA, the Inkatha Freedom Party and the MK Party.

The groups called for tighter immigration controls, stricter visa regulations, a review of asylum policies, action against businesses employing undocumented migrants, accountability for corrupt police officers and limits on public services for undocumented migrants.

On Wednesday, March and March continued protests in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, targeting undocumented foreign nationals. Last week, South African authorities denied that anyone had been attacked and said the widely circulated videos were fake.

The South African government has condemned the circulation of fake videos and images described by some as recordings of attacks on foreign nationals. Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said Cabinet had condemned the circulation of fake videos and images online falsely claiming attacks on foreign nationals.

"The fake videos and images are not only fake, but they are intended to undermine the good reputation of South Africa internationally," Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said.

She added that Cabinet had directed the Department of Employment and Labour to intensify inspections of workplaces to ensure compliance with employment laws across vulnerable sectors such as hospitality, farms, trucking, and construction. On Monday, President Cyril Ramaphosa said the recent protests and criminal acts directed at foreign nationals did not reflect government policy.

Cyril Ramaphosa described the protests and criminal acts as isolated acts of criminality.

He said South Africa would regulate migration, secure its borders and enforce its laws. President Cyril Ramaphosa last Wednesday rejected claims by some African countries that South Africa is xenophobic, calling such characterisations lazy. Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said Ramaphosa acknowledged legitimate community concerns about crime.

Ghana and Nigeria have recently summoned the South African envoys to their respective countries over the mistreatment and harassment of their citizens. Ghana has written to the African Union asking it to discuss the issue, saying it posed a serious risk to the safety and wellbeing of Africans in South Africa. South Africa responded by saying it had nothing to hide.

Kenya, Malawi, Lesotho and Zimbabwe have warned their citizens in South Africa. According to official figures, South Africa is home to more than three million foreigners, about 5% of South Africa's population. Xenophobia has long been an issue in South Africa and has been accompanied by occasional outbursts of deadly attacks.