South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, has revealed that nearly 74 per cent of Ghanaians who recently returned home had overstayed their visas and were subsequently declared undesirable in accordance with the country’s immigration laws.
He explained that the affected individuals were processed through established legal procedures and that the matter had been formally communicated to Ghana’s High Commission.
Mr Lamola stressed that, despite the immigration violations, the South African government remains constitutionally obligated to protect everyone within its borders, including Ghanaian nationals.
He noted that many Ghanaians continue to contribute meaningfully to various sectors of South Africa’s economy and assured that the government is committed to ensuring their safety.
The minister also reiterated the government’s condemnation of violence against foreign nationals, emphasising that constitutional protections apply to all residents regardless of immigration status.
At the same time, he indicated that authorities would continue enforcing immigration policies to address irregular migration.