South Africa is seeking reimbursement from several African countries after it spent nearly $18 million accommodating and transporting migrants who were deported or voluntarily returned home. The country’s foreign ministry has sent compensation requests to Malawi, Ethiopia and Nigeria, according to Home Affairs officials. Government figures show that 82,875 people have been voluntarily repatriated or deported since the migration tensions intensified, although figures from migrants’ home governments put the total closer to 178,000. Officials called the costs “unforeseen and unavoidable,” while some municipalities are separately seeking compensation from the national government. The wave of departures reflects escalating tensions over illegal immigration, with some South African groups blaming migrants for unemployment and strained public services.
AP