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[INTERNATIONAL] · South Africa, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Nigeria, Ghana · 16 sources

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Part of situation: South Africa xenophobic violence and mass migrations (221 clusters)

South Africa migrant exodus: 178,000 people flee amid crackdowns and protests

migrant exodus xenophobic protests repatriation undocumented migration Southern Africa

More than 178,000 African immigrants have left South Africa in recent months, driven by a combination of government crackdowns on undocumented migration and violent anti-immigration protests. This exodus represents one of the most significant movements of people from the country in recent years.

Data from neighboring countries shows that over 115,000 people returned to Zimbabwe and more than 56,000 returned to Malawi. Other nations, including Nigeria, Ghana, Mozambique, and Lesotho, have also reported the return of over 1,000 citizens each. While many people have been officially deported by South African authorities, the majority of returns have occurred through voluntary repatriation programs offered by South Africa or the migrants' home governments.

In Malawi, the government-backed voluntary repatriation program, which helped return 56,723 citizens, is set to conclude following concerns regarding safety and living conditions in South Africa. Meanwhile, South African authorities reported that nearly 60,000 undocumented foreigners have been detained since the start of the year as part of ongoing security and immigration operations.

Entities

Department of Disaster Management Affairs · Lieutenant‑General Tebello Mosikili · Lindela repatriation centre · Malawi · Musina · NATJOINTS · National Joint Operations and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) · South Africa · Tebello Mosikili · Zimbabwe

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

Sources

Malawi to End Voluntary Repatriation of Citizens from South Africa [panafricanvisions.com]
More than 178,000 immigrants have suddenly fled or been deported from South Africa. Here’s why - Inside Politics [insidepolitic.co.za]
More than 178,000 immigrants have suddenly fled or been deported from South Africa. Here's why - EUROPE SAYS [www.europesays.com]
Más de 178. 000 inmigrantes han huido repentinamente de Sudáfrica o han sido deportados. Esta es la razón - Por el Ojo de la Cerradura [porelojodelacerradura.com.do]
Над 178. 000 мигранти во последните неколку месеци ја напуштија Јужна Африка [denesen.mk]
南アフリカから18万人の移民強制送還、知っておくべきこと [kagonma-info.com]
More than 178,000 immigrants have suddenly fled or been deported from South Africa. Here's why - SRN News [srnnews.com]
More than 178,000 immigrants have suddenly fled or been deported from South Africa. Here’s why [mymotherlode.com]
África do Sul Deteve Quase 60 Mil Imigrantes Ilegais só Neste Ano • Diário Económico [www.diarioeconomico.co.mz]
Voluntary repatriation of Malawians concludes Wednesday - Nation Online [mwnation.com]
More than 178,000 immigrants have suddenly fled or been deported from [www.arabnews.pk]
Повеќе од 178. 000 мигранти во последните неколку месеци ја напуштија Јужна Африка - Република [republika.mk]
Više od 178. 000 migranata napustilo Južnu Afriku: Deportacije i protesti pokrenuli masovni odlazak - Nedeljnik [www.nedeljnik.rs]
Afrique du Sud : le gouvernement annonce avoir rapatrié plus de 77. 000 étrangers [tchadinfos.com]
How many Zimbabweans have returned from South Africa? [www.thesouthafrican.com]
More than 178,000 immigrants have suddenly fled or been deported from South Africa. Here’s why - WTOP News [wtop.com]