Ghanaians living and operating businesses in parts of South Africa are facing renewed uncertainty after some protesting groups reportedly gave them until September 30, 2026, to vacate their shops and salons.
The reported threats come amid renewed xenophobic tensions in parts of South Africa, weeks after Ghana concluded an evacuation exercise that brought more than 1,900 Ghanaian nationals back home.
Some Ghanaians who remain in the country say they are increasingly worried about the safety of their businesses and livelihoods. One affected Ghanaian told Citi News that some residents had received written notices directing them to leave their business premises before the September 30 deadline.
She said the situation was not affecting every province but described conditions in her area as unsafe.
Some Ghanaians who had moved to other provinces hoping to receive assistance to return home are also reportedly struggling to secure food and accommodation.
According to the affected Ghanaian, officials at the Ghanaian mission informed them that the government’s repatriation exercise had ended and that they would have to make their own arrangements to return to Ghana.
The latest concerns follow a government-supported evacuation programme that ran from May 27 to September 4, 2026. The Information Services Department said 1,964 Ghanaians were evacuated at a cost of approximately GH¢49.72 million following attacks and intimidation targeting foreign nationals.
