South Africa xenophobic unrest drives exodus of over 160,000 foreign nationals

Over the past two months, anti‑immigrant protests in South Africa have escalated into violent xenophobic attacks, resulting in the deaths of at least four migrants – an Ethiopian, a Malawian and two Mozambicans – and prompting a mass departure of more than 160,000 foreign nationals.

Governments of neighbouring countries reported large‑scale repatriations. Zimbabwe announced that 108,366 of its citizens had returned by mid‑July, most of them voluntarily. Malawi said it had repatriated over 46,890 people, using 699 buses to transport them home. Mozambique escorted roughly 2,000 returnees to the border, while Nigeria and Ghana organized the return of about 1,490 and 926 of their nationals respectively, each citing the deaths of their citizens in the unrest.

South African authorities have rejected some claims of foreign deaths and warned against misinformation. The violence has strained relations with neighbouring states and led to calls for the issue to be discussed at the upcoming African Union summit.