A South African authority informed Lusa that about 90 thousand foreigners, including approximately 20 thousand Mozambicans, have left neighboring South Africa since June. This departure occurred due to threats and incidents of violence directed at immigrants.
Michael Masiapato, commissioner and executive head of the South African Border Management Authority (BMA), detailed in an exclusive interview that globally, about 90 thousand people have left the country following threats of violence registered after June 30, 2026.
Although he did not provide specific data for all other countries, the official admitted that the wave of aggression motivated the mass migration of immigrants, mainly via land routes. He pointed to Zimbabwe as the main source of citizens who abandoned South Africa, followed by Malawi, Mozambique, and Lesotho. Masiapato specified that Mozambicans represented about 20 thousand of these people.
Regarding air departures from O.R. Tambo International Airport, the official mentioned citizens from Nigeria and Ghana.
Despite attacks still occurring in certain areas, the commissioner guaranteed that South Africa has recently started recording an increase in migrant entries. However, illegal immigration remains the biggest concern for authorities. Masiapato stressed that the challenge is continuous, sometimes leading to popular revolts against the number of people in irregular situations in the country.
He added that authorities continue to process and allow entry to foreigners who meet the legal criteria for tourism, visits, or work. To combat illegal immigration, inspection efforts at border lines and checkpoints have been intensified.
Masiapato explained that a stricter effort has begun to identify and intercept individuals attempting to enter illegally, both at the border and at entry points, especially those trying to bribe officials. Among the implemented actions is the use of drones at major border crossing points, particularly in the Lebombo region, near the border with Mozambique, which has considerably reduced illegal attempts.
The BMA official also emphasized collaboration with Mozambican authorities in combating clandestine immigration through joint operations involving the Police, customs authorities, and the Mozambique Defence Forces. Masiapato stated that the Government of Mozambique and its agents do not promote illegal immigration, thus assisting in the interception of those trying to enter South Africa illegally.
Xenophobic tensions are a recurring problem in South Africa, generating waves of violence in recent years, with dozens of deaths concentrated in economically fragile neighborhoods. Anti-immigration groups frequently blame foreigners for economic problems, failures in public services, and high crime rates, even barring immigrants from accessing health and education services.
Additionally, the Mozambican Government communicated in September that at least 2,071 national citizens returned to the country due to xenophobic violence, an event that officially resulted in the death of 11 Mozambicans. Currently, it is estimated that there are about 300 thousand Mozambican citizens residing in South Africa, and the Presidency of the Republic had already mentioned the return of thousands of nationals due to the escalation of violence.
