300 Ghanaian Nationals Depart South Africa, Only 10 Legal

The first group of approximately 300 Ghanaian nationals departed South Africa on Wednesday under a voluntary repatriation program initiated by their government. The flight from O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg follows weeks of anti-immigration protests and rising tensions that have left many foreign nationals feeling unsafe.

Ghana’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Benjamin Quashie, said the repatriation effort was a response to citizens feeling unwelcome, despite what he described as excellent bilateral relations between the two countries. He stated that more than 800 Ghanaians have registered for evacuation, with a second flight expected to depart within days. Quashie emphasized that the program would continue for any citizen wishing to return home.

However, South African immigration officials revealed a significant discrepancy regarding the status of those departing. Stephen van Neel, head of immigration and law enforcement at the Department of Home Affairs, said that after an overnight verification process, only ten of the 300 individuals on Wednesday's flight were found to be legally in the country. The majority were undocumented, had overstayed visas, or...