South Africa has facilitated the return of 933 Mozambican nationals, amid concerns over xenophobic tensions in parts of the country.
The announcement was made by the South African Border Management Authority (BMA), which noted that the departures were processed on Wednesday through the Lebombo Port of Entry on the South Africa–Mozambique border.
“On June 3, 2026, the BMA successfully processed the departure of 933 Mozambican nationals from South Africa to Mozambique through the Lebombo Port of Entry,” BMA said in a statement on X on Thursday.
It added that of those repatriated, 584 travelled from Mossel Bay through arrangements facilitated by the Mozambican High Commission, while the remaining 349 individuals came from the Lindela Holding Facility and were transported under the Department of Home Affairs’ deportation programme.
The development comes just days after Mozambique said five of its nationals were killed in suspected xenophobic attacks in South Africa over the weekend.
South African authorities have, however, contested that account, confirming only two deaths of Mozambican nationals in violence in the southern coastal town of Mossel Bay.
According to police, the killings were the first to be officially linked to a wave of anti-migrant protests spreading across parts of the country.
South Africa has recently seen a rise in demonstrations targeting undocumented migrants, with protest groups arguing that illegal immigration is placing a strain on public services, employment opportunities and local infrastructure.
Some protest organisers, including a group called March and March, have reportedly set a June 30 deadline for undocumented foreigners to leave the country, heightening anxiety within migrant communities.
On Wednesday, Malawi announced plans to begin a voluntary repatriation exercise for its nationals in South Africa who have requested government assistance to return home, following reports of vigilante attacks targeting African migrants in parts of the country.
According to Malawi’s Foreign Affairs Ministry, the programme will apply only to Malawian citizens who have voluntarily indicated their willingness to return, with the government currently making logistical arrangements and finalising procedures for the exercise.
Ghana had also begun returning around 300 of its citizens from South Africa last week before issuing an order this week temporarily suspending the repatriation exercise amid a high volume of applicants.
“The temporary suspension is to enable the High Commission and the Home Affairs process to screen the large number of applications already received. To date, over 1,500 Ghanaians have registered, and the verification and processing of these applications is currently underway,” the Ghana High Commission in Pretoria said in a statement.
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