Metros, towns brace for 30 June protests as 13,200 foreign nationals processed

 By Charmaine Ndlela 

South African cities and border towns are facing mounting pressure from large-scale repatriation operations and the upcoming 30 June anti-illegal immigration protests, with about 13,200 foreign nationals processed through Beitbridge and OR Tambo International Airport in the past five days.

Border Management Authority (BMA) Commissioner Dr Michael Masiapato told the SABC that about 9,000 Malawian nationals and 3,000 Zimbabwean nationals had been processed through Beitbridge Border Post. At the same time, a further 900 Ghanaians and 300 Nigerians were repatriated through OR Tambo International Airport.

He said the N1 corridor leading to Beitbridge and the N4 corridor towards the Lebombo Border Post remained the primary routes being used in the operations.

“Over the past five days, we have facilitated the movement of around 9,000 Malawians through Beitbridge. These include individuals repatriated through arrangements made by their government, as well as those deported through processes facilitated by the