South Africa Deports Over 53,000 Foreign Nationals Amid Anti-Migrant Tensions

South Africa has deported or repatriated more than 53,000 foreign nationals since launching a nationwide immigration enforcement campaign five weeks ago, as authorities intensify efforts to tackle undocumented migration amid growing anti-immigration protests.

Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi announced on Sunday that 53,499 foreign nationals had so far been processed for deportation and repatriation.

According to the minister, most of those deported were citizens of Malawi, Zimbabwe and Mozambique, adding that the number is expected to rise as enforcement operations continue.

"We are striving to achieve an orderly and regular migration which is mindful and sensitive to the concerns raised by our people, while observing human rights and dignity of all people in our country, irrespective of their citizenship and immigration status," Kubayi told a news conference in Pretoria.

The campaign is one of South Africa's largest crackdowns on undocumented migration in recent years and follows weeks of anti-immigration demonstrations across parts of the country.

Protesters have demanded tighter border controls and the mass removal of undocumented migrants, arguing that illegal immigration has contributed to unemployment, crime and pressure on public services.

The demonstrations have, in some cases, been accompanied by reports of violence, intimidation and looting, raising concerns over the safety of foreign nationals living in the country.

The United Nations has cautioned against blaming migrants for South Africa's socioeconomic challenges and urged authorities to ensure that immigration laws are enforced in line with international human rights standards.

Anti-migrant groups have threatened to continue holding weekly protests until the government meets their demands and had earlier issued an unofficial deadline of June 30 for undocumented migrants to leave South Africa.

The worsening tensions prompted several African countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, Uganda and Kenya, to organise evacuation flights for citizens who chose to return home amid fears of violence.

Kubayi said the ongoing operation had also enabled authorities to identify and apprehend individuals wanted by police for alleged criminal offences.

She stressed that while immigration enforcement would continue, members of the public must not conduct unauthorised searches of homes or businesses suspected of harbouring undocumented migrants.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has acknowledged public concerns over illegal immigration but has repeatedly condemned attacks on foreign nationals, urging citizens to allow law enforcement agencies to carry out their responsibilities.

South Africa remains one of Africa's largest economies and has long attracted migrants from across the continent seeking employment and better economic opportunities, with many entering the country without valid documentation.