South Africa rushes to deport 15,000 before anti-immigration protests
Part of composite article South Africa’s President Warns Anti-Immigrant Groups: No ‘June 30 Deadline’ as 15,000+ Foreign Nationals Flee View full article →
More than 15,000 Malawian nationals have already been processed to leave South Africa, as authorities race to repatriate foreign nationals ahead of an unofficial June 30 deadline. Thousands more remain in temporary camps waiting to be sent home.
The deadline was set by citizen-led groups planning anti-immigration marches. The groups have demanded that all undocumented foreigners leave the country by the end of June. Tensions have been rising as the date approaches.
South African officials are working to ease these tensions by accelerating deportations. The government aims to prevent potential clashes and show it is addressing public concerns about immigration.