EFF leader Julius Malema has criticised the Ghanaian government’s decision to evacuate 300 citizens from South Africa following xenophobic attacks, saying the response was too quick and not in line with diplomatic dialogue.
On Wednesday, 27 May, the Ghanaian government evacuated 300 Ghanaians to Accra. According to Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this is a fraction of more than 800 who have voluntarily registered to be evacuated.
Before the evacuation, South African authorities indicated that only 10 of the 300 had legal status in South Africa, while the remaining 290 had either overstayed their visas or had no documentation.
“Ghanaians are gone now, 300 of them. How many 300 jobs were created after the Ghanaians left.”
Julius Malema says blaming migrants for job losses deepens colonial divisions and that Ghana’s response risks blaming entire societies for the actions of a few people. pic.twitter.com/IsejccA5xH
— News Central TV (@NewsCentralTV) May 28, 2026
Malema said the evacuation creates the impression that all South Africans are behind the attacks, when in fact it is only a section of society that law enforcement should contain. He argued that blaming migrants for job losses deepens colonial divisions and that Ghana’s response risks blaming entire societies for the actions of a few.
He noted that one Ghanaian woman said she was leaving because police did nothing while she was being beaten. Malema said if police cannot defend people, then there is a problem. However, he added that Ghana should have given South Africa time to deal with the matter.
Malema said Ghana’s response was largely dishonest and that diplomatic engagement should have been pursued instead. A South African activist also described Ghana’s reaction as an overreaction.