Ghana has temporarily suspended registration for the voluntary repatriation of its nationals from South Africa after more than 1,500 signed up to leave amid a wave of xenophobic attacks.
The Ghana High Commission in Pretoria said in a notice on Monday that the pause took effect on Tuesday to let officials verify and screen the applications already received, alongside South Africa’s home affairs department. It stressed that “the repatriation exercise has not ended” and promised a new registration phase in due course.
Registration had climbed from a few hundred to more than 1,500 as anti immigrant attacks intensified across South Africa. Vigilante groups have set a 30 June deadline for undocumented foreigners to leave, fuelling fears within the Ghanaian community.
Ghana’s Foreign Ministry issued a travel advisory on Monday urging citizens to avoid non essential trips to South Africa, citing attacks that have brought injuries, looting and seized businesses. A first group of about 300 Ghanaians flew home on 27 May, with a second batch awaiting flight permits.
The High Commission, which estimates about 15,000 Ghanaians live in South Africa, thanked the community for its patience and said those yet to register would get another chance once the current applications are cleared.
