Ministry of Internal Affairs reduces refugee case backlog by nearly 19 thousand thanks to system reforms

For over a month, dozens of refugees, including women with infants and small children wrapped in thin blankets, are reportedly forced to sleep on the pavement in front of the Department of Internal Affairs offices on Che Guevara Street. They are enduring harsh winter nights after fleeing alleged xenophobic violence.

Living Conditions and Concerns

Since they had nowhere else to turn, families report that they have exchanged one danger for another, huddling together in the cold while awaiting assistance and hoping their pleas for protection will be heard.

Deborah Young of the South African Palestinian Movement noted that the humanitarian crisis is worsening daily as more displaced persons arrive in the area. She stated: 'The situation is very precarious – more people fleeing attacks in townships and suburbs have arrived in recent days.'

Support Issues

Furthermore, maintaining the camp has become more difficult after municipal support was allegedly withdrawn. Refugees near the Department of Internal Affairs office on Che Guevara Street told IOL that they fear a march scheduled for Thursday.

One refugee reported: 'The municipality [allegedly] stopped delivering water, and we rely on donations entirely. The municipality wants them to leave but does not help with housing. There is [allegedly] another march planned for Thursday.'

Community Leaders' Reactions

March and Rally leader Jacinta Ngobeze-Zuma said she had not heard about the planned march but promised to find out more details.

Refugee leader Bishop Raphael Bahbeba noted that the June 30th march in the central business district was successful, but he stated that xenophobia has increased in townships and rural areas. He added: 'People are being evicted, [allegedly] beaten, and tortured in rural areas. We do not understand the scenario, and it has changed our perspective here.'

In recent weeks, thousands of foreign nationals have left South Africa as governments across the continent have increased repatriation efforts amid anti-immigration protests.

Scale of Repatriation Operations

Returns were carried out via state flights, buses, and other voluntary repatriation programs. The largest operations were conducted by Malawi, Zimbabwe, and Nigeria.

Details by Country

Malawi conducted the largest operation to date. According to South African authorities, 15,162 Malawian citizens underwent deportation or repatriation procedures, while Malawi reports the return of 6,936 of its own citizens.

Zimbabwe reported the repatriation of 3,624 citizens as of June 26, amidst growing concerns over violence against immigrants ahead of planned demonstrations. Most returnees from Zimbabwe traveled via the Beitbridge border post.

Nigeria organized several evacuation flights after more than 1,000 citizens registered for voluntary return. To date, over 600 Nigerians have been repatriated, and additional flights are planned for registered individuals. It is worth noting that South African authorities processed over 586 Nigerians found illegally in the country under immigration law enforcement procedures, which differs from Nigeria's voluntary evacuation program.

Ghana dispatched several charter flights from Johannesburg to repatriate nearly 1,000 citizens who requested assistance in returning home. The Government of Ghana continues to review applications from citizens wishing to leave South Africa.

Kenya repatriated 211 citizens using state funds. Authorities stated that additional evacuations could be organized if necessary. The Diaspora Department announced that the last state charter flight from Johannesburg is scheduled for July 9.

Uganda accepted the first group of 273 citizens evacuated from South Africa under its repatriation program. Authorities noted that further evacuations may take place if required.

Mozambique organized the voluntary repatriation of its citizens following attacks that resulted in the deaths of several Mozambicans. Mozambican authorities have not yet published updated national statistics on the number of returnees.

Cooperation with Other States

South African authorities are also working with a number of other African governments that have requested assistance for their citizens wishing to return home, although official figures for these cases have not yet been released.

These repatriation processes followed several weeks of anti-immigration demonstrations in various parts of South Africa, where protest groups demanded the removal of illegal migrants.

Leadership Response

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa condemned the attacks on foreign nationals, promising simultaneously to strengthen compliance with immigration laws and uphold the rule of law.

Governments across the region continue to urge citizens in South Africa to register with their embassies if they require consular support or intend to return to their home countries.