JOHANNESBURG, Gauteng — More than 300 Ghanaian nationals departed O.R. Tambo International Airport yesterday aboard the first flight of a voluntary repatriation program coordinated by the Ghanaian government, amid ongoing anti-illegal immigration demonstrations across parts of South Africa.
The initiative comes as concerns grow over the safety and well-being of foreign nationals following heightened tensions linked to recent protests. While approximately 326 Ghanaians had gathered at the airport for the departure, flight capacity limited the initial group to 300 passengers. The remaining individuals are expected to be accommodated on a follow-up flight arranged by the same aircraft operator within the week.
According to the Ghanaian High Commissioner, the repatriation effort aims to assist any Ghanaian national in South Africa who wishes to return home, regardless of documentation status. “We are looking at a number way above a thousand,” the High Commissioner stated, noting that approximately 890 individuals have registered for repatriation to date, with numbers expected to rise. “Anytime any Ghanaian feels like they are not welcome in this country and they want to go home, government would ensure that they go home.”
Stephen van Neel, Head of Immigration and Law Enforcement with South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs, confirmed that the verification process involved close coordination with Ghanaian embassy officials and South African security systems. The screening, which began last Thursday and continued through the night prior to departure, was designed to ensure compliance with immigration legislation.
Van Neel noted that documentation challenges were identified during verification. “What we found is that not many of them had actual documents,” he said. “It is that process that we had to make sure that then we verify against the information that we received from the embassy against the systems of the Department of Home Affairs and others to make sure that there is indeed these people that we can allow to depart.”
He added that while security vetting confirmed the eligibility of those boarding the flight, individuals found to be non-compliant with immigration requirements remain subject to enforcement actions and sanctions.
Among the passengers were approximately 30 individuals transferred from the Lindela detention centre. Van Neel clarified that these were deportees—not prisoners—held at the facility pending removal for immigration violations. “This is a facility where we, when we arrest people, hold onto them until they are deported,” he explained. “We have nationalities from all over the world that end up in Lindela for deportation purposes because they have transgressed the immigration act.”
The Ghanaian High Commissioner emphasized that the repatriation program includes documented, undocumented, and legally resident Ghanaians alike. “All of them form part of this group and all of them are going home,” he said.
Passengers at the airport, who had previously spoken with media, declined further on-camera interviews ahead of departure, citing instructions not to engage with cameras.
The voluntary repatriation flights are expected to continue until all Ghanaian nationals in South Africa who wish to return home have been assisted.
