South Africa Deports Over 53,000 Foreign Nationals in Five Weeks

South Africa says it has deported or repatriated more than 53,000 foreign nationals in just five weeks as part of a nationwide immigration enforcement campaign.

Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi said most of those deported were from Malawi, Zimbabwe and Mozambique, adding that the numbers are expected to rise as the operation continues.

The crackdown comes after weeks of anti-immigration protests across South Africa, where demonstrators have demanded tighter border controls and the removal of undocumented migrants. Some protesters have accused migrants of contributing to unemployment, crime and pressure on public services.

However, the government has urged citizens not to take the law into their own hands. Minister Kubayi warned against illegal searches of homes and businesses suspected of sheltering undocumented migrants, saying immigration laws must be enforced lawfully and with respect for human rights.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has also acknowledged public concerns over illegal immigration while condemning attacks on foreign nationals and calling for calm.

The United Nations has meanwhile cautioned against blaming migrants for South Africa's economic and social challenges, warning that they should not become scapegoats.

The recent unrest has prompted several African countries, including Ghana, Nigeria, Uganda and Kenya, to organise the voluntary return of some of their citizens from South Africa.

South Africa remains one of Africa's largest economies and has long attracted migrants seeking employment and better economic opportunities.