Ghanaians residing in South Africa have urgently requested evacuation due to escalating fears associated with renewed xenophobic tensions, expressing that they no longer feel secure in the country.
They made the appeal during a gathering at the Ghana High Commission in Pretoria, where distressed citizens recounted experiences of intimidation, fear, and economic difficulties while urging authorities to expedite evacuation efforts.
A tearful woman expressed her long-standing desire to leave South Africa after her circumstances did not improve.
“Since last year, I have wanted to leave this country because the situation that brought me here did not work out. I want to go back home, and I need to go back home,” she said.
Another Ghanaian, who identified himself as a teacher legally employed in South Africa, stated that many Ghanaians were unjustly being forced into irregular status despite possessing valid documentation.
“We don’t want to stay here. I’m sick and tired of this country. I should have been fat but look at how I am. I have been working as a teacher in this country,” he said.
“Not that Ghanaians are illegal but the Home Affairs force most of them to be illegal because some of them have permanent status which has been revoked.”
He further claimed that some Ghanaian business owners had their permits renewed multiple times before ultimately being accused of fraud
“Some have business permits. They came with business permits, they renewed here three times. At the end of the other renewals, they said fraudulent,” he added.
Another woman expressed concerns regarding the safety of Ghanaians living outside Pretoria, stating that fear has hindered many from even traveling to register for evacuation.
“Some of us outside Pretoria can’t even travel by bus or taxis for them to come and register their names because they are scared,” she said.
“Because the moment they started the ‘makwerekwere’ style, then they have to divert the taxis somewhere. So how about them? What are the safety measures towards them if necessary?”
A Ghanaian business owner also described what he called persistent intimidation by some police officers.
“Some of us have businesses here. A police officer can come to your office and intimidate you to the extent that your whole day will be messed up,” he stated.
“So we plead that if they want us to go they should tell us calmly. We didn’t come here with anything so we can just leave so we don’t have any arguments or fights”.
