South Africa Evacuees Say Corruption Allegations Are Taking a Toll on Their Mental Health

Ghanaians evacuated from South Africa following xenophobic attacks earlier this year say ongoing corruption allegations surrounding the evacuation exercise and the financial assistance provided to them upon their return are affecting their mental health.

The returnees have expressed concern over media reports and public discussions questioning the management of funds for the evacuation, insisting that some of the claims regarding their transportation and reintegration allowances are inaccurate.

Speaking to the media on Monday, October 26, 2026, Michael Addo, a representative of the evacuees, said the repeated allegations and public scrutiny had caused significant emotional distress among members of the group.

He appealed to the public and the media to refrain from circulating what the group considers misleading information, while acknowledging the need for accountability and transparency in the use of public funds.

“The various allegations we have heard in the media and the dragging of our names in these discussions are taking a toll on our mental health,” Mr Addo stated.

He called for an immediate end to the allegations, adding that the government had demonstrated its commitment to transparency when the Foreign Affairs Minister addressed a press conference on September 7, 2026, to explain the evacuation arrangements.

Mr Addo also noted that the group was aware that the minister had invited the Auditor-General to audit all evacuation exercises conducted since 2017.

The controversy follows concerns raised by the Minority in Parliament over the number of Ghanaians evacuated from South Africa and the total cost of the exercise.

The Minority has questioned the figures associated with the operation, particularly the expenditure on chartered flights used to transport the returnees to Ghana.

It has also raised concerns about the transportation and reintegration allowances paid to the evacuees upon their arrival.

The returnees maintain that public discussions about the evacuation should be guided by accurate information and accountability, without subjecting them to unnecessary emotional distress as questions about the use of public funds continue to be debated.

19 minutes ago