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
The first group of 300 Ghanaian nationals who accepted their government’s repatriation offer departed from OR Tambo International Airport on Wednesday morning, as anti-illegal immigration protests continued to spread across parts of South Africa.
The Ghanaian government has launched the first phase of its voluntary repatriation programme for citizens wishing to return home.
This followed 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 on Wednesday 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.”
Van Neel confirmed that some of those returning to Ghana had been detained at Lindela.
“As a department, we made use of the opportunity when the Ghanaians indicated they wanted to take people back. We have a number of nationalities in our holding facility, where individuals are detained until they are deported,” he said.
“They allowed us to place close to 30 people on this morning’s flight back to Ghana.”
The repatriation comes as tensions over illegal migration continue to rise in South Africa, with nationwide demonstrations expected on June 30, 2026.
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