South Africa is calling for continent-wide talks on migration as it seeks to contain the fallout from anti-immigration protests that have forced thousands of migrants to leave the country and strained relations with several African governments.

Officials say the proposed discussions should focus on the broader drivers of irregular migration across Africa rather than South Africa's domestic tensions alone.

The African Union rejected a proposal by Ghana last week to place South Africa's migration tensions on the agenda of the bloc's October coordination meeting. South Africa opposed the move, arguing that it would unfairly single out one country without addressing the wider migration challenges affecting the continent.

The issue is expected to feature prominently at the Southern African Development Community (SADC) summit later this month in Durban, where leaders from countries including Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe are expected to discuss migration management and regional cooperation.

International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola said the talks would examine the root causes of irregular migration across different regions of Africa, including North Africa.

South Africa has experienced growing pressure from anti-illegal immigration groups demanding faster deportations, stricter enforcement of immigration laws and tighter border controls. 

The groups have organized weekly protests, and some migrants have reported violent attacks during demonstrations.

Between June and July, at least 68,000 people were repatriated from South Africa, according to government figures, including undocumented migrants deported for immigration violations. Most were from Malawi, Zimbabwe and Mozambique.

Authorities have also sharply reduced the capacity of the temporary repatriation facility in Musina, near the Zimbabwe border, from 20,000 people to 1,500.

Lamola said South Africa wants a broader African discussion that addresses the economic, political and security factors driving migration across the continent, rather than focusing solely on enforcement measures.

(With input from wires)