Overview
- South African Home Affairs said it processed 586 Nigerian nationals for repatriation and declared them 'undesirable' with five‑year entry bans, and a first charter carrying roughly 268 people departed on Thursday.
- Nigeria organised the evacuation flight and promised cash and reception support for returnees, while additional Nigerian flights were scheduled to carry those who registered to go home.
- Thousands of Malawians and other foreign nationals have been forced from homes and are sheltering in makeshift sites near Durban, with local counts rising from about 3,000 to roughly 5,000 in days.
- The government has intensified deportation and verification operations, issuing emergency travel documents and expanding immigration checks as it rolls out Electronic Travel Authorisation and digital ID reforms.
- The crisis has raised urgent humanitarian concerns and diplomatic strain with neighbours as the government rejects a vigilante June 30 ultimatum and aid groups and the UN urge protection for children and displaced families.