More than 178,000 African migrants have left South Africa in recent months, driven by a government crackdown on undocumented migration and, in some cases, violent anti-immigration protests that have fueled fears of attacks.
The departures represent one of the most significant migrant exoduses from Africa’s most industrialized economy in years.
The figures come from authorities in the migrants’ home countries. More than 115,000 Zimbabweans have returned home since late May, according to the Zimbabwean government, while Malawi says more than 56,000 of its citizens have returned.
Nigeria, Ghana, Mozambique and Lesotho have each reported the return of more than 1,000 citizens from South Africa.
The returns include people deported by South African authorities as well as migrants who voluntarily returned through repatriation programs offered by South Africa or their home countries. Voluntary returns account for the vast majority of those who have left.
