The Government of Ghana has commenced the final phase of evacuating its citizens from South Africa as deadly xenophobic attacks and anti-migrant unrest continue to escalate across the country.

According to Ghana’s Foreign Ministry, about 1,000 Ghanaian migrant workers are expected to return home on special flights scheduled for Sunday and Monday. The latest evacuation follows the successful

repatriation of 926 Ghanaians in recent days.
The ministry described the latest operation as the “final phase” of Ghana’s emergency evacuation programme for its nationals living in South Africa.

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The move comes amid growing violence targeting foreign nationals, with reports indicating that more than 160,000 migrants have fled South Africa over the past two months as hostility against undocumented foreigners intensified.

Among those who have returned to their home countries are citizens of Zimbabwe, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho and Uganda.

South African authorities have confirmed that at least four migrants have been killed during the unrest, although some affected countries claim the number of casualties among their citizens is higher.

The protests have been driven by vigilante groups accusing undocumented migrants of taking jobs and contributing to crime.

However, analysts argue that migrants are being unfairly blamed for South Africa’s broader economic and governance challenges, including high unemployment and poor service delivery.

Ghanaian President John Mahama has strongly condemned the attacks, calling on the African Union to place the issue of xenophobic violence on its agenda.

He also criticised the South African government, saying it has not done enough to protect foreign nationals.

In a further diplomatic response to the crisis, Ghana earlier postponed a planned visit by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.

The West African nation also joined Nigeria in urging the African Union to address what both countries described as “Afrophobia” at its next summit.

The ongoing evacuations highlight growing concerns among African governments over the safety of their citizens in South Africa as efforts continue to rescue those affected by the violence.

Former adult film actress Deyci Alejandra Omaña Ortiz, popularly known by her stage name Amaranta Hank, has made history after being sworn in as a senator in Colombia, becoming one of the country’s most talked-about political figures.

Ortiz secured the Senate seat following her victory in Colombia’s March elections on the platform of the left-wing Historic Pact coalition, where she campaigned for greater rights and legal protections for workers in the adult entertainment industry.

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According to Colombian newspaper El Tiempo, the newly inaugurated lawmaker will represent the Norte de Santander region during the 2026–2030 parliamentary term after placing 23rd on the coalition’s closed electoral list.

The Historic Pact emerged as the country’s strongest political force in the election, winning 22.72 per cent of the Senate vote—more than 4.4 million ballots—to secure 25 seats, according to Colombia’s National Registry.

Before entering politics, Ortiz worked as a journalist before transitioning into the adult film industry. She has maintained that her previous career should not define her ability to serve in public office.

Responding to critics who questioned her suitability for office, Ortiz defended her candidacy in a TikTok video, saying:
“¿Por qué una mujer que estuvo en la industria para adultos no puede aspirar a un cargo de elección popular?”

The statement translates to: “Why can’t a woman who was in the adult industry aspire to a popularly elected office?”

According to Infobae Colombia, Ortiz believes women who have worked in the sexual economy make meaningful contributions to the country’s economy and deserve legal recognition instead of continued stigma.

Born in the city of Cúcuta, the senator said her legislative agenda will also focus on mental health, sexual abuse prevention, and broader social welfare reforms.

Her political rise follows months of public debate after she and fellow former adult film performer Juan Carlos Florián were appointed to positions in President Gustavo Petro’s Ministry of Equality, a move that sparked widespread discussion in Colombia.

Ortiz’s swearing-in marks one of the most closely watched moments in Colombian politics in recent years, with supporters describing it as a victory for inclusion and equal opportunity, while critics continue to question her unconventional path to public office.

A South African court has ordered a temporary halt to impeachment proceedings against President Cyril Ramaphosa over the controversial $580,000 Phala Phala farm cash scandal, pending the outcome of his legal challenge against an earlier investigative report.

The Western Cape High Court ruled on Friday in favour of Ramaphosa, granting his request to suspend the parliamentary impeachment process while the court reviews a November 2022 independent panel report that concluded the president “may have committed” serious violations and misconduct.

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In his ruling, Judge Andre le Grange ordered that Parliament’s impeachment committee must not proceed with public hearings until the judicial review has been concluded.

“Pending the determination by this court of the applicant’s review… respondents are interdicted from proceeding with a public impeachment hearing,” the judge ruled.

The controversy dates back to a 2020 burglary at Ramaphosa’s luxury Phala Phala game farm in Limpopo Province, where thieves allegedly stole $580,000 hidden inside a sofa.

Ramaphosa has consistently denied any wrongdoing, maintaining that he reported the break-in to the police and that the money was the legitimate proceeds from the sale of 20 buffaloes.

The complaint was filed by a former South African intelligence chief and one-time ally of former President Jacob Zuma.

The complainant alleged that Ramaphosa concealed the robbery from both police and tax authorities and claimed the amount involved was as much as $4 million.

Despite mounting pressure from opposition parties demanding accountability, Ramaphosa has repeatedly ruled out resigning over the scandal.

Reacting to Friday’s ruling, the South African president reaffirmed his commitment to the country’s constitutional principles and judicial system.

“The President will continue to cooperate with and abide by processes of accountability,” a statement from his office said, adding that he remains committed to respecting the independence of the judiciary and the separation of powers.

The impeachment process had initially been rejected by South Africa’s National Assembly, where Ramaphosa’s ruling African National Congress (ANC) held a parliamentary majority, effectively blocking impeachment proceedings at the time.

Although prosecutors dropped related charges in 2024, the Constitutional Court overturned Parliament’s earlier decision in May 2026, paving the way for the establishment of a parliamentary impeachment committee.

If the impeachment proceedings eventually resume, Ramaphosa would become the first sitting South African president to face such a process.

The High Court is expected to hear his application seeking to overturn the 2022 independent panel report in September.