South African authorities are accelerating efforts to ease rising tensions ahead of planned nationwide anti-immigration marches scheduled for June 30, as thousands of foreign nationals continue returning to their home countries.
More than 15,000 Malawian nationals have already been processed for repatriation, while thousands more remain in temporary camps awaiting transport. Several African countries, including Malawi, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya and the Democratic Republic of Congo, are assisting citizens who have chosen to return home voluntarily.
At the busy Beitbridge border crossing, officials say more than 8,200 foreign nationals have been repatriated in under two weeks, with nearly 6,700 of them being Malawian citizens.
The planned marches have raised concerns over possible xenophobic violence following weeks of unrest that have already claimed several lives. South African authorities have strongly condemned vigilante-style actions, stressing that immigration enforcement is the responsibility of the state and not private individuals or groups.
The tensions come just months before the country’s local government elections and have revived memories of the deadly xenophobic attacks of 2008, which left 62 people dead.
With demonstrations expected on June 30, security forces remain on high alert as the government works to maintain public order and prevent further violence.
