Over 178,000 African migrants leave South Africa amid crackdown and protests

More than 178,000 African migrants have left South Africa in recent months, marking one of the largest exoduses from the continent's most industrialized economy in years. The departures stem from a government crackdown on undocumented migration and a series of sometimes violent anti-immigrant protests that have left many fearing for their safety.

According to authorities in the migrants' home countries, over 115,000 people have returned to Zimbabwe since late May, while more than 56,000 have gone back to Malawi. Nigeria, Ghana, Mozambique, and Lesotho each report at least 1,000 citizens returning from South Africa.

The returns include both deportations and voluntary repatriations, with the latter making up the vast majority. South Africa says about 19,000 people have been officially deported since April.

Advocacy groups have raised alarms about the human cost, particularly for children pulled out of schools and HIV patients cut off from treatment. Malawi reports nearly 4,000 children under five among its returnees, and an NGO estimates more than 11,000 children have returned to Zimbabwe. The Zimbabwean government has instructed schools not to discriminate and to find places for returning students.

Health officials warn that many migrants fled without medication or medical records, disrupting HIV treatment in a region with high infection rates. Doctors Without Borders has set up clinic tents at Zimbabwe's Beitbridge border post to treat people traumatized by losing access to life-saving drugs.

The protests, which culminated in nationwide demonstrations on June 30, have included door-to-door campaigns by mobs that rights groups say have threatened and attacked migrants, burning homes and businesses even of those legally present. Mozambique says 11 of its citizens were killed, and Nigeria and Ghana also report deaths, though South Africa disputes these figures, attributing some killings to crimes like robbery.

The situation has strained diplomatic ties, with Ghana pushing for the issue to be discussed at an African Union meeting in October, a move South Africa blocked while calling for broader migration talks.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has condemned violence against migrants but acknowledged government failures in enforcing immigration laws. He has pledged more border technology, new immigration courts, and stricter penalties for employers who hire undocumented workers. Meanwhile, about 3,000 people remain in a detention center near Johannesburg awaiting deportation, and over 6,300 inspectors are checking workplaces for illegal employment.