South African Home Affairs officials stated that only 10 out of nearly 300 Ghanaian nationals were legally residing in the country. These individuals registered for voluntary repatriation following anti-undocumented migrant protests in South Africa. The group was scheduled to depart from OR Tambo International Airport for Accra.
Stephen van Neel, head of Home Affairs Immigration and Law Enforcement, told reporters that authorities discovered numerous immigration violations. He explained that out of the 300 individuals on the list, only 10 possessed legal status. The remaining migrants were found to be undocumented, had violated their permit conditions, or had overstayed their visas. The Department of Home Affairs intends to enforce sanctions against these individuals.
This situation arises amid rising tensions over undocumented migration in South Africa. Anti-immigration groups have intensified their demonstrations in recent months. Ghana’s High Commission in South Africa confirmed that fewer than 300 nationals actually boarded the flight. Some migrants were reportedly denied boarding due to documentation issues. These individuals might be considered for a subsequent repatriation flight.
Ghana’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Benjamin Kofi Quashie, urged for calm and assured that Ghana would not engage in retaliatory actions against South Africans living in Ghana. He emphasized that any necessary repatriations should be handled by state institutions, not individuals. Commissioner Quashie also stated that Ghana remains committed to fostering cooperation and promoting pan-Africanism despite the current friction.
The incident underscores the complex challenges of migration management in South Africa. It also raises questions about the effectiveness of immigration enforcement and the status of foreign nationals within the country. The actions taken by South African authorities and the response from Ghana's diplomatic mission will be closely watched. Further details on the second repatriation flight and any ensuing policy changes are anticipated.