The South African government says more than 53,000 foreign nationals have been deported or repatriated since it launched a “migration management” campaign five weeks ago.

Most were from Malawi, Zimbabwe and Mozambique, officials say, and the number is likely to increase as repatriations and deportations continue.

South Africa is carrying out one of its biggest crackdowns on undocumented migrants in years, following weeks of anti-immigration protests that have seen violence, intimidation and looting.

Protesters have been demanding stricter border controls and mass deportations, accusing migrants of contributing to high unemployment, rising crime rates and the collapse of public services.

The UN has warned against scapegoating migrants for South Africa’s socio-economic challenges.

Anti-immigrant activists have threatened to organize weekly protests to pressure the government until their demands are met, and there are fears the protests could turn violent.

Protesters had set an “unofficial deadline” of June 30 for all undocumented migrants to leave the country, which has seen many foreigners flee violence and intimidation.

Several countries, including Ghana, Nigeria, Uganda and Kenya, have sent their citizens home by plane in recent weeks.

Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Mmamoloko Kubayi announced on Sunday that 53,499 foreigners have been processed for deportation and repatriation, “dominated by Malawians, followed by Zimbabweans and Mozambicans.”

“We strive to achieve orderly and regular migration that is conscious and sensitive to the concerns raised by our people, while respecting the human rights and dignity of all people in our country, regardless of their citizenship and immigration status,” Kubayi said at a news conference in Pretoria.

He said the repatriation and deportation process has helped them catch people wanted by police for alleged criminal activity.

Authorities will continue to enforce their immigration laws, he added, but warned that protesters should not conduct unauthorized searches at homes and businesses suspected of harboring undocumented immigrants.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has acknowledged public concerns about immigration but condemned attacks on migrants and warned citizens not to take the law into their own hands.

South Africa is the richest nation on the continent and has long attracted immigrants seeking better economic opportunities, some of whom enter illegally.