Around 20,000 Mozambicans are among the 90,000 foreign nationals who have left South Africa since the end of June, following threats and episodes of violence targeting immigrants, according to Michael Masiapato, commissioner and chief executive of the South African Border Management Authority (BMA).
In an interview with the Lusa news agency published on Thursday, 5 November, Masiapato explained that departures occurred primarily by land. Zimbabwean nationals made up the largest group, followed by those from Malawi, Mozambique, and Lesotho.
“Mozambicans accounted for approximately 20,000 people,” Masiapato stated, without providing figures for other nationalities. Among foreigners who departed by air through OR Tambo International Airport, he highlighted nationals from Nigeria and Ghana.
Despite the persistence of violent incidents in some regions, Masiapato said that in recent days authorities had begun to record an increase in migrants entering the country.
The commissioner identified irregular immigration as the principal challenge facing border management. In response, authorities have stepped up enforcement along borders and at entry points, including operations to detect illegal crossings and attempted bribery of officials.
Among the tools deployed are drones, particularly in the Lebombo area along the border with Mozambique. According to Masiapato, this technology has contributed to a significant reduction in irregular entry attempts.
The commissioner also highlighted cooperation with Mozambican authorities on the control of migration flows, involving the Mozambican Armed Defence Forces, the police, and customs services.
In a briefing delivered on 12 August, Maria Lucas, Mozambique’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, had announced the return of 2,071 Mozambican nationals due to xenophobic violence in South Africa. According to official figures released at the time, at least 11 Mozambicans had died as a result of those incidents.
Source: Diário Económico
Original article: https://www.diarioeconomico.co.mz/?p=559109
