Migration & Borders
AFP tally says over 160,000 people have left South Africa amid anti-migrant unrest
An AFP tally based on figures from repatriating governments says more than 160,000 people have left South Africa since the end of May because of violent hostility against undocumented migrants.
The tally says the largest numbers of people who left were from Zimbabwe and Malawi. It says hundreds more were from countries including Mozambique, Nigeria, Ghana, Uganda, Kenya and Lesotho.
Update
The tally covers people who have left South Africa since the end of May.
The AFP tally is based on figures from the governments of the people who left.
The largest numbers were from Zimbabwe and Malawi.
Hundreds more were from countries including Mozambique, Nigeria, Ghana, Uganda, Kenya and Lesotho.
Source note: AFP news report published on 21 July 2026 at 16:27:40 UTC.
Uncertainty notes
The tally is based on government figures and may change if further data is reported.
The source does not give exact totals by nationality.
Source
AFP news report published on .