Nigeria has delayed its first evacuation flight meant to repatriate citizens from South Africa (SA), citing unexpected logistical issues.
The planned evacuation comes amid a wave of intense anti-illegal migrant protests sweeping across SA. The continent-wide response has already seen countries like Ghana airlift hundreds of its citizens home, while Zimbabwe has begun bringing its people back by road.
Over 70 Zimbabwean migrants, including families with young children, recently arrived in the border town of Beitbridge on a chartered bus. The group fled Mossel Bay in the Western Cape after violent attacks left dozens of informal homes torched. While local police have not officially linked the arson to xenophobia, migrants stated they fled out of fear for their safety.
Tensions are escalating nationwide ahead of a June 30 deadline set by an anti-migrant group demanding all undocumented foreign nationals leave the country. As the deadline approaches, several other African nations are actively preparing to evacuate citizens who want to return home.
–ChannelAfrica–
