Hundreds of foreign nationals, including Nigerians, have reportedly fled their homes to go into hiding, with some taking refuge at police stations following threats and intimidation from anti-migrant groups in South Africa.

This followed rising xenophobic tensions and the June 30 deadline issued to undocumented foreigners by anti-migration groups to leave the Rainbow Nation, or face dire consequences.

Many immigrants seeking government protection feared they could be killed. A Congolese national told IOL News: “We are being told repeatedly that on 30 June, we will be killed and that no foreigner will remain in South Africa.”

Meanwhile, Ghana yesterday began the repatriation of its citizens from South Africa following the fear of mob attacks. Authorities said the first batch of approximately 300 passengers departed the former apartheid enclave following escalating demonstrations against illegal immigration in several South African cities.

Ghana’s High Commissioner to South Africa Benjamin Quashie defended the government’s decision to evacuate citizens, saying they acted after receiving distress calls from Ghanaians who feared for their safety and livelihoods. He told the BBC: “The Ghanaian government listened to the plight of its citizens in South Africa, who felt their lives were in danger and their businesses had come to a standstill.”

The Nigerian Consulate said last week it was finalising arrangements to evacuate Nigerians from South Africa following xenophobic tensions. The Minister of Foreign Affairs Bianca Odimegwu-Ojukwu had earlier announced that 130 people had already registered to return home.