Protesters take part during a march againts undocumented migrants organised by March in March movement in Soweto on June 29, 2026. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa vowed on June 25 to prevent any attempts to destabilise the country amid rising xenophobic tensions. Citizen-led groups have set June 30 as a deadline for undocumented foreign nationals to leave South Africa and have called for nationwide marches against illegal immigration following months of protests, some of which have turned violent. (Photo by EMMANUEL CROSET / AFP)
South Africa’s national intelligence body said Monday that more than 25,000 people have been repatriated in recent weeks ahead of planned anti-immigrant protests, with many others still awaiting departure.
The outflows come as thousands seek to leave over safety fears after citizen-led groups issued an unofficial ultimatum for undocumented foreigners to exit the country by June 30.
Several governments, including Nigeria, Malawi, Ghana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique, have organised voluntary repatriation flights and buses after weeks of protests, looting and attacks targeting foreigners that have left four people dead.
“To date, more than 25,000 foreign nationals have been repatriated,” the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS), which coordinates security operations linked to the protests, said.
