- The Department of Home Affairs has provided more information on Ghanaian nationals who were due to leave South Africa
- Stephen Van Niel, the department's immigration and law enforcement chief, said not all of the people were in the country legally.
- South Africans took notice of the update, expressed disappointment over the news and asked the Ghanaian minister to clarify on the news
Source: Getty Images
Byron Pillay, A news in brief Journalist, has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political scene, crime and social issues. He worked as a newspaper journalist for 10 years before transitioning to online.
Gauteng – Only 10 out of 300 Ghanaians who were ready to depart South Africa Was in the country legally on May 27, 2026.
This is according to the Head of Immigration and Law Enforcement at the Department of Home Affairs, Stephen Van Niel, who spoke to the media at the OR Tambo International Airport ahead of the departure of the Ghanaian nationals.
ghanaian Government Organised One flight for 300 citizens Who wanted to leave South Africa amid rising tensions against foreign nationals in the country. The government had earlier attempted to evacuate the citizens from the country on May 21, 2026, but only one person shown For flight.
Now, out of fear of being targeted, about 800 citizens are willing to leave South Africa, with the government organizing several flights for the citizens
Source: Getty Images
Only 10 Ghanaians were in South Africa legally
Before the first flight, Van Niel said officials worked long hours to ensure that those who were on the list to depart could do so.
He said that when checking the list, he found that only a few were in the country legally.
“What we found is out of the 300 individuals on that list, we found only 10 of them are legal in the country. The rest are illegal, undocumented or not in compliance,” he said.
Some people from Ghana were detained earlier
Van Niel also noted that 30 departing passengers were detained at the Lindela Repatriation Centre. The center is South Africa's only designated holding facility for undocumented migrants awaiting deportation.
Ghanian citizens detained at the center were given priority for evacuation on the first plane leaving the country. The second flight is scheduled to depart on Sunday, June 1, 2026.
South Africans react to the figures
Social media users expressed disappointment at the news, emphasizing the fact that only 10 Ghanaian citizens were in the country legally.
@NubianLes7381 said:
“Out of 300, only 10 were legal in the country.”
@LatoMpobane noted:
“Only 10 out of 300 are legal in the country. 290 are illegal, and Ghana is not saying anything about it.”
@CynamaderSA urged:
“Recall that lying ambassador to come and explain Home Affairs' findings.”
@ZinhleSokh92169 asked:
“What? So, what should happen now? If they do not have proper documents, where should they go? Ghana should take its people.”
@AppolisPe69411 said:
“10 out of 300 is legal, but then we are being judged.”
Ghanaians disappointed with South Africa
spoke to a Ghanaian citizen news in brief About this Country's perception of South Africa Amid attacks against foreign nationals.
Accra resident Emmanuel Mensah-Amoah discusses why many Ghanaians choose to come to South Africa in the first place.
The Ghanaian also discussed the special package his government had given to citizens being evacuated from South Africa.
Source: News in Brief