The first group of 300 Ghanaian nationals who agreed to voluntary repatriation has departed South Africa through OR Tambo International Airport as anti-immigrant protests continue gaining momentum across the country.
The repatriation program was organized by the Government of Ghana following growing fears over the safety of Ghanaian citizens amid rising xenophobic violence and demonstrations targeting African immigrants in South Africa.
South African Home Affairs officials said some of those who left the country were found without valid immigration documents and therefore underwent additional screening procedures before being cleared to travel.
Around 30 individuals who had been held at the Lindela Repatriation Centre were also included in the return flight to Ghana.
Authorities say more than 800 Ghanaian nationals have already registered for voluntary departure as concerns continue rising over the political climate surrounding immigration in South Africa.
The latest departures come ahead of planned nationwide demonstrations expected on June 30, organized by a xenophobic group known as “March and March.”
The movement has been demanding tougher action against undocumented migrants, including stricter visa regulations, reviews of asylum policies, and stronger penalties against employers accused of hiring illegal foreign workers.
South Africa has experienced repeated waves of anti-immigrant unrest over the past two decades, often fueled by frustrations over unemployment, crime, housing shortages, and pressure on public services.
Foreign nationals from other African countries have frequently been caught in the middle of those tensions, with migrant-owned businesses sometimes targeted during protests and violent outbreaks.
Human rights organizations have repeatedly warned that inflammatory political rhetoric and social media campaigns risk worsening hostility against African migrants living in the country.
The Ghanaian government has not indicated whether additional evacuation flights will be arranged, though officials say they are continuing to monitor the situation closely through diplomatic channels in Pretoria.
The growing departures also highlight a broader migration challenge facing several African countries, where economic pressures and political instability continue pushing many young people to seek work opportunities abroad despite increasingly strict immigration policies.
