Social media platforms have been inundated with posts from South Africans expressing growing frustration over the government’s perceived failure to curb illegal immigration.
Some have blamed undocumented migrants for the high levels of crime, unemployment and the spread of drugs.
As a result of the demonstrations, the Ghana High Commission is now processing applications by some of those who said they want to return home.
One 58-year-old man said he has lived in South Africa for more than 20 years.
He said he initially entered the country on a tourist visa before later obtaining asylum documentation following what he described as a family dispute in Ghana.
When asked whether he had abused South Africa’s asylum system, he blamed the Department of Home Affairs.
“Okay, if I am abusing it, I went to the Home Affairs, why didn’t they tell me, ‘We can’t offer you a permit’ and they offered me a permit, so it’s their fault – it’s not my fault. If they denied me, I would go back, but they accepted me and gave me the asylum [visa].”
Other Ghanaian nationals said they are relieved by the support from their government.