The first group of Ghanaian nationals accepted their government’s voluntary repatriation offer and departed from OR Tambo International Airport on Wednesday.
Image: Timothy Bernard/Independent Newspapers
As the first group of 300 Ghanaians was repatriated from OR Tambo International Airport yesterday, chaos erupted at two northern suburbs as anti-illegal immigration protests continued to spread across parts of South Africa.
In Kraaifontein, an estimated 700 learners from two high schools took to the streets in protest, demanding the removal of foreign nationals from their schools and the country.
The learners, from Masibambane High School and Hector Peterson High School, allegedly assaulted a foreign national during the unrest and disrupted traffic and informal traders.
Video footage circulating on social media showed large groups of uniformed learners flooding the streets and looting roadside fruit stalls.
According to police, learners at one school threw stones at passing vehicles, while those at the other targeted school personnel's vehicles.
Western Cape police deployed Public Order Police to the area to manage the situation and escort learners back to their respective schools.
The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) said it was aware of the incidents and that the disruption appeared to have started at Masibambane Secondary School and then spread to nearby schools. It was investigating the matter.
The Ghanaian government has launched the first phase of its voluntary repatriation programme for citizens wishing to return home, amid growing concerns about the safety and well-being of foreign nationals amid heightened tensions linked to anti-illegal-immigration demonstrations.
Many said they had travelled to South Africa in search of better opportunities, but their experiences had instead become a nightmare, leaving them fearful for their safety.
Scores of people, from elderly passengers to young children, gathered at the airport to leave the country amid escalating immigration protests.
Elderly passengers and children were among hundreds of Ghanaians returning home from South Africa on Wednesday.
Image: Timothy Bernard/Independent Newspapers
Speaking at the airport, the Department of Home Affairs’ head of immigration and law enforcement, Stephen van Neel, said 30 of the 300 Ghanaians departing had been held at the Lindela Repatriation Centre in Krugersdorp.
“What we found is that, obviously, we got the list and one of the areas that we were concerned about was that not many of them had actual documents,” Van Neel said.
“We had to verify the information we received from the embassy against the systems of the Department of Home Affairs and others to ensure these were indeed people we could allow to depart.
“In terms of the security vetting and checks, we are satisfied that those departing can do so. More importantly, those who are non-compliant must still face the necessary enforcement and sanctions, especially those who have overstayed or do not have valid documents.”
The repatriation comes as tensions over illegal migration continue to rise in South Africa, with nationwide demonstrations expected on June 30.
The anti-illegal-migrant group March and March, which has led demonstrations against undocumented foreign nationals across the country, has threatened a national shutdown on June 30 if the government fails to address its demands.
The group is calling for stricter visa regulations, a review of asylum policies, action against businesses employing undocumented migrants, accountability for corrupt police officers and restrictions on public services for undocumented migrants.
South African authorities confirmed that about 30 Ghanaian nationals held at the Lindela Repatriation Centre were among the first group repatriated to Ghana on Wednesday morning.
Image: Timothy Bernard/Independent Newspapers
Last week, IOL News reported that more than 800 Ghanaians had formally registered for evacuation from South Africa.
The surge in registrations prompted the Ghanaian government to delay the planned repatriation exercise while authorities finalised logistical and legal arrangements.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that the evacuation, initially scheduled to begin on May 21, 2026, had been postponed by several days to allow for coordination between Ghanaian and South African authorities.
“The Government of Ghana notes that more than 800 Ghanaians have registered with our High Commission in Pretoria seeking evacuation due to the latest wave of xenophobic attacks,” the ministry said.
The first group of Ghanaian nationals accepted their government’s voluntary repatriation offer and departed from OR Tambo International Airport on Wednesday as anti-illegal immigration protests intensified across South Africa.
Image: Timothy Bernard/Independent Newspapers
Officials said the postponement was necessary to meet procedural requirements, including passenger screening, inter-agency coordination and flight clearances.
“Considering the numbers involved and the South African legal conditions that have to be met, including mandatory passenger screening, multi-institutional coordination and flight permits, the planned evacuation has been deferred by a few days,” the ministry said.
simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za
IOL News