Thousands of migrants, including many from Malawi and Zimbabwe, are seeking to leave South Africa as the country braces for anti-immigrant protests on June 30. The protests have sparked fears of violence, and many migrants are trying to return to their home countries.

Xenophobic Violence a Recurring Issue

South Africa has struggled with xenophobic violence in the past, with many citizens blaming immigrants for high crime rates, unemployment, and strained public services. The government has urged citizens not to take immigration enforcement into their own hands and has promised a massive police deployment to maintain stability.

The main organization behind the protests, March and March, has said it is not calling for violence but will not take responsibility for any violence that occurs. President Cyril Ramaphosa has warned citizens not to make foreigners scapegoats for the country’s problems, which he attributes mainly to the legacy of apartheid.

Countries Struggle to Repatriate Citizens

Many countries, including Malawi and Zimbabwe, are struggling to repatriate their citizens due to the high demand for transportation. Some migrants have been forced to sleep outside their consulates while waiting for buses to take them home.

Asylum seekers, like Leanne Sefu from the Democratic Republic of Congo, have nowhere safe to go. Sefu, who has been living in South Africa since she was three years old, fears returning to her home country due to the ongoing war.

Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.