More than 160,000 foreign nationals left South Africa over the past two months following widespread anti-immigrant unrest, according to an AFP tally based on figures from the repatriating governments.
More than 160,000 foreign nationals left South Africa over the past two months following widespread anti-immigrant unrest, according to an AFP tally based on figures from the repatriating governments.
South Africa has seen weeks of nationwide protests against undocumented foreigners.
As anti-migrant groups pressed their demand for immigrants to leave by June 30, citizens of other African countries flocked to consulates and community halls seeking transport home.
The largest numbers to leave were from Zimbabwe and Malawi but hundreds more were from countries including Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Mozambique, Nigeria and Uganda.
More than 100,000 Zimbabweans return home
Releasing updated figures on Tuesday, Zimbabwe's cabinet said 108,366 of its people had come home as of July 18, a majority of them self-repatriating.
Malawi announced on Monday that more than 46,890 citizens had returned since early June, with the government providing 699 buses for the long journey home.
Nearly 2,000 Mozambicans also returned, according to South African government figures.
Some crossed the border with help from their government after two Mozambican nationals were killed at the end of May in the southern town of Mossel Bay. Authorities also confirmed the deaths of an Ethiopian and a Malawian in "anti-foreigner sentiment."
'Afrophobia'
Nigeria has repatriated around 1,490 nationals, while Ghana has flown home at least 926, according to government figures.
They have also demanded that the issue of "Afrophobia" be discussed at the next African Union summit, while Ghana has postponed a planned visit by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.
South Africa has long been a destination for documented and undocumented African workers searching for work.
Anti-migrant groups claim that the foreigners take jobs from locals and drive up crime.
Coordinated repatriations
Protests intensified ahead of the June 30 "deadline" and have continued since.
This is the first time that the anti-immigrant sentiments have prompted several governments to simultaneously organise coordinated voluntary repatriations for thousands of their nationals.
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