Leader of South Africa’s Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), Julius Malema, has criticised claims that foreign nationals are responsible for unemployment in South Africa, describing such arguments as false and divisive.

His comments come after the evacuation of 300 Ghanaians from South Africa following recent xenophobic attacks targeting foreign nationals.

Here's when the next batch of returnees are expected to arrive from South Africa

According to Malema in a video sighted by GhanaWeb on May 28, 2026, the departure of Ghanaians from the country has not led to the creation of jobs for South Africans as some people had claimed.

“Because Ghanaians are gone, 300 of them. How many 300 jobs were created after the Ghanaians had left? So, it's just a myth, it's a lie, which they are using to further divide us, to perpetuate colonial divisions that were created in the past,” he quizzed.

The South African politician argued that blaming migrants for unemployment only deepens divisions created during the colonial era.

He also questioned the continued emphasis on African borders, saying they were part of the colonial system imposed on the continent.

“The borders are actually the most practical thing that was brought about by colonialism. And you can't say you are against colonialism, but you support the borders. It's never consistent like that,” he stated.

The government evacuated the first batch of 300 citizens from South Africa following renewed xenophobic attacks targeting foreign nationals in parts of the country.

PHOTOS: Emotional scenes aboard emergency flight of Ghanaians fleeing SA xenophobia

The evacuees arrived at the Accra International Airport on May 27, 2026, aboard an Ethiopian Airlines flight after departing from OR Tambo International Airport in South Africa.

"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