Ghanaian nationals repatriated from South Africa amid immigration checks and diplomatic tensions
via The Citizen3 min read
The Border Management Authority BMA Commissioner, Dr. Michael Masiapato, confirmed the repatriation of 663 Ghanaian nationals from South Africa through OR Tambo International Airport over a weekend. On Saturday, 332 Ghanaians were processed, with 170 using ordinary passports and 162 using emergency travel certificates. During immigration checks, 321 travelers were found to have overstayed their South African visas by 30 days or more and were declared undesirable. 323 passengers departed on a chartered flight, though nine were offloaded due to medical unfitness. On Sunday, another 331 Ghanaians were processed, including 37 minor children born in South Africa and 25 asylum seekers who voluntarily withdrew their applications. 170 travelers were found to have overstayed. 340 passengers, including 10 deportees, boarded a chartered flight. This repatriation follows the Ghanaian government's decision to assist its citizens in leaving South Africa after renewed anti-immigrant protests by organizations like March and March and Operation Dudula. Ghana's High Commissioner to South Africa, Benjamin Anani Quashie, stated there are close to 16,000 Ghanaians in South Africa. The first group of repatriated Ghanaians departed on May 27, with immigration checks revealing that only 10 out of 300 were legally in the country. South Africa's Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, criticized Ghana's claims regarding its citizens' legal status, stating South Africa would
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