South Africa says more than 25,000 migrants have returned home in recent weeks

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa — South African security forces said more than 25,000 people have voluntarily returned to their home countries in recent weeks, ahead of planned anti-foreigner protests across the country. Officials said the repatriations were coordinated through border crossings and aimed at encouraging the voluntary departure of foreign nationals. The government said a separate process to register foreign workers and update their work permits is continuing. Authorities reported that most of the returns were to neighboring countries and that the operation is being conducted in coordination with international organizations. Security units have increased measures at border areas and in city centers to prevent possible violence during the planned anti-foreigner demonstrations in the coming days. Officials have not provided a breakdown of the nationalities of those who returned.