The first group of 300 Ghanaian nationals left South Africa on Wednesday under a voluntary repatriation programme launched by the Ghanaian government.

The departure from OR Tambo International Airport came as anti-immigration protests continued in parts of the country. Ghana said more than 800 of its citizens had registered for evacuation after safety concerns linked to xenophobic attacks and rising public tension.

Ghanaian nationals leave South Africa under voluntary plan

Ghanaian nationals leave South Africa after their government offered citizens the option to return home. The first group departed from OR Tambo International Airport on 27 May 2026, according to the supplied IOL report.

Some passengers included elderly people and children. Several said they had come to South Africa looking for work and better opportunities, but later feared for their safety as anti-immigration demonstrations spread.

Stephen van Neel, the Department of Home Affairs’ head of immigration and law enforcement, said officials had to verify passenger details before departure. He said some people did not have proper documents, so Home Affairs checked embassy information against its own systems.

Van Neel also confirmed that about 30 of the departing Ghanaians had been held at the Lindela Repatriation Centre in Krugersdorp. He said non-compliant foreign nationals still had to face enforcement steps if they had overstayed or lacked valid documents.

Evacuation followed delays and safety concerns

The Ghanaian government had initially planned to begin the evacuation on 21 May 2026. However, Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs delayed the exercise to complete passenger screening, inter-agency coordination and flight-clearance processes, according to the Ghana News Agency.

Ghanaian outlets reported that more than 800 citizens had registered with the Ghana High Commission in Pretoria for evacuation. The ministry linked the registrations to renewed xenophobic attacks and concerns about the safety of Ghanaians in South Africa.

The move comes during a tense period in South Africa’s migration debate. Human Rights Watch said anti-migrant demonstrations took place in April and May 2026 in cities including Pretoria, Johannesburg and Durban.

Associated Press also reported that hundreds marched in Johannesburg on 29 April 2026 against illegal immigration. Shops closed during that protest because of fears of looting and opportunistic crime.

Responses and reactions

Home Affairs said it allowed the group to depart after security vetting and checks. Van Neel said the department was “satisfied” that those leaving could do so, while adding that immigration enforcement would continue for those who broke the law.

There is some uncertainty around a reported June 30 shutdown linked to anti-immigration groups. While the supplied article says March and March threatened a shutdown, EWN reported that the organisation distanced itself from a planned June 30 protest.

Newsroom could not verify from the supplied sources whether the Ghana High Commission or March and March had issued further statements on Wednesday afternoon.