South Africa deports 53,499 migrants in five-week crackdown
Why it matters: The sweep followed anti-immigration protests and a June 30 pressure campaign that the UN warned could fuel scapegoating.
South Africa has deported or repatriated 53,499 foreign nationals in the five weeks since it began a nationwide migration enforcement drive, one of the country’s largest crackdowns on undocumented migrants in years. Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi said those processed were mainly from Malawi, Zimbabwe and Mozambique, and the total is expected to rise. The campaign came after weeks of anti-immigration protests marked by violence, intimidation and looting, with activists demanding tighter border controls and mass removals. President Cyril Ramaphosa has acknowledged public concern over immigration but condemned attacks on migrants and warned citizens not to take the law into their own hands.