Foreign nationals camped outside the Epping repatriation centre in Cape Town, seeking assistance after the facility's closure left them stranded.
Image: Ayanda Ndamane/ANA Studios
South Africa has long neglected the security of its borders.
For over thirty years, the nation has struggled with illegal immigration, which has, regrettably, forced civic organisations to take responsibility for removing undocumented foreign nationals from the country.
It's a delicate issue that has led to South Africa being criticised continentally.
Legally, only government officials have the authority to enforce immigration laws. However, many citizens have taken to the streets in protest, expressing their frustration and dissatisfaction with what they see as a crisis caused by the presence of undocumented immigrants.
We condemn vigilantism, but South Africa's government should take the blame for a lax approach over the years. With porous borders, estimates suggest that over three million illegal immigrants reside here.
The government might have had the means to deport illegal immigrants for years, but its efforts have been insufficient due to the scale of the problem, compounded by allegations of corruption in the police and Home Affairs. Only recently has it been seen as addressing the crisis with the necessary urgency.
Various countries have been forced to evacuate their citizens from South Africa due to pressure from anti-illegal immigration groups.
While other countries are struggling with their citizens stranded in transit camps, Ghana, for instance, has organised charter flights to repatriate its nationals.
Furthermore, the West African nation has advised its political youth groups to refrain from any retaliatory actions.
Acknowledging that illegal immigration is an issue, Ghana's Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, James Gyakye Quayson, recently called on African countries to support South Africa in addressing the crisis.
There are close to 200 South African businesses and registered companies operating in Ghana. Fighting over the issue is likely to do more economic harm than good to both countries.
Despite over 100 South African businesses investing heavily in Nigeria, the West African nation has threatened to retaliate against South Africans over the immigration fallout.
While business interests shouldn't be traded for human rights, revenge isn't the answer—much is at stake. Make no mistake; there will be no winners if hostility continues.
In early 2026, South African investors had invested about $1 billion in Nigeria. African governments must recognise the immigration crisis on the continent as a starting point.
Our collective focus as a continent should be on solving the immigration crisis and determining the necessary actions.