Over 160,000 illegal immigrants have left South Africa following protests by citizens demanding that foreigners depart. Many South Africans are expressing dissatisfaction with the government's handling of border controls and immigration issues. Estimates suggest there may be up to 30 million illegal immigrants in South Africa, where the documented population is around 63 million. Protesters have reportedly gone door-to-door in areas like Soweto, urging immigrants to leave, and 900 arrests were made during recent nationwide protests, which were mostly peaceful but included some violence resulting in one death.
Some immigrants have voluntarily left on buses or been repatriated by their home countries. A flight to Ghana in June revealed that 321 of 332 Ghanaians attempting to leave were found to be in South Africa illegally. The March and March movement, a prominent anti-immigrant group, claims to oppose violence despite reports of immigrant deaths linked to protests. Their leader, Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, estimates that the number of illegal immigrants is between 15 and 30 million, a figure disputed by official statistics from Statistics South Africa, which reported around 3 million immigrants, including those with documentation.
Statistics South Africa's head acknowledged challenges in verifying immigrant claims. The unemployment rate in South Africa is reported at 32.7%, and many illegal immigrants are believed to be employed, often at lower wages than the legal minimum. Reports indicate that local hospitals are struggling to provide care due to the influx of foreign patients. President Cyril Ramaphosa has pledged to address immigration issues amid public pressure and upcoming local elections, with over 53,000 foreign nationals processed for deportation as of July 11.
Political figures, including Herman Mashaba of Action SA, have criticized the government's response to the immigration crisis, calling for stronger enforcement and mass deportations. Polls indicate that immigration is a significant concern for South Africans, alongside unemployment. The March and March movement's actions reflect a growing frustration with government inaction on immigration and crime, with historical context showing that protests against immigrants have turned violent in the past.