South Africa Protests Illegal Immigration; Ghana Repatriates Citizens

Ghanaian authorities began repatriating the first group of citizens from South Africa on Wednesday morning after weeks of protests against illegal immigration. Dozens of buses chartered by the Ghanaian embassy delivered passengers to Johannesburg's OR Tambo airport around 03:00 local time. Men, women and children of all ages arrived for screening by embassy and airport staff.

Ghanaian officials said an initial 300 people would leave on the first flights, with the remaining registered citizens screened for later departures. A smaller group arrived in a police van and was kept separate under police watch. Rudolph, who has lived in South Africa for 10 years and runs a salon, told the BBC he decided to leave because of the protests.

"It's not comfortable for us to stay here anymore, so we have to go. I think we will find peace at home," he said.

An estimated 25,000 Ghanaians live in South Africa.

Demonstrators organized by the group March and March say illegal migrants strain public services and have set a 30 June deadline for them to leave the country. Ghanaian High Commissioner Benjamin Quashie said the government acted after citizens reported feeling unsafe and unable to work.

"The Ghanaian government listened to the plight of its citizens in South Africa, who felt that their lives were in danger," he told the BBC. Quashie added that Ghana has a reintegration plan for returnees and will help them restart businesses they ran in South Africa.

Previous attacks on foreigners killed at least 12 people in 2019 and 62 in 2008. Organizers of the current protests say the marches have remained peaceful. Earlier this month South African officials condemned attacks on foreigners while stating the country must address illegal immigration. Some observers have linked the recent demonstrations to local elections scheduled for November.