Liberia repatriated its first group of nationals, numbering 17 people, from South Africa on Wednesday, according to its foreign ministry, with anti-immigrant tensions high in the country.

South Africa has witnessed weeks of protests and unrest targeting immigrants, who are accused of taking jobs and resources.

Some African countries have already repatriated tens of thousands of citizens.

The Liberians landed at Roberts International Airport near Monrovia at 2:45 pm (local and GMT), the ministry confirmed to AFP.

'Most distressed'

The individuals had "voluntarily requested" to come home, Varlee Sanor, deputy executive director of the Liberia Refugee Repatriation and Resettlement Commission (LRRRC), told AFP.

Their return was jointly coordinated by the commission and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the LRRRC said on Facebook.

"This group of Liberians was the most distressed who voluntarily opted to be immediately repatriated due to fear of their lives as a result of the attacks against foreigners", LRRRC said in the Tuesday post.

Malawi said earlier in July it had brought back 38,000 nationals in just a month while Zimbabwe reported nearly 21,300 citizens.

Uganda's government said around 1,100 of its nationals had been repatriated, while hundreds of Ghanaians, Nigerians, and Mozambicans have also left.