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Ghana Repatriates 300 Citizens from South Africa
Ghana has secured presidential approval to immediately evacuate 300 distressed citizens who registered at its embassy in Pretoria following a new wave of protests against foreign nationals. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa described the events as isolated criminal acts unrelated to government policy.
May 13, 4:16 PM·2m read3 sources
France 24Audio version
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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.
