South Africa’s Anti-Migrant Protests Intensify Amid Violence and Calls for Expulsion of Undocumented Foreigners
Anti-immigrant protests erupted across South Africa on Tuesday, as demonstrators, draped in flags and armed with wooden weapons, marked a self-imposed deadline for undocumented migrants to leave the country. The protests, which have been marred by violence and looting, come after months of escalating tensions and unrest that have drawn international condemnation.
Background of the Protests
In anticipation of the protests, thousands of foreign nationals fled South Africa, with many shops closing and foreign workers staying home due to fears of violence. Reports indicate that at least four individuals have lost their lives, while thousands of foreigners have been displaced, with their businesses and properties vandalized.
Jacinta Ngobese, the leader of the anti-migrant group March and March, stated that weekly marches would continue until their demands are met. She emphasized the need for national resources to be allocated for the removal of undocumented immigrants, asserting, “For the next six months, we are asking for our national resources to be used to take the illegal immigrants out of this country. From building to building — they must go.”
Voices from the Protests
Among the protesters was Silindile Xaba, who expressed frustration over job competition, stating, “People are not working; the jobs are being taken by illegal foreigners. It’s not fair.” This sentiment reflects a broader narrative among many South Africans who attribute their economic hardships to the presence of foreign nationals.
Political leaders have faced accusations of exploiting xenophobia to garner votes ahead of local elections scheduled for November.
Violence Against Migrants
The protests have been interpreted by many migrants as a direct threat, leading to scattered incidents of violence despite the presence of peaceful demonstrations. Police reported arrests of looters but provided no further details on the incidents.
In Thembisa, a suburb of Johannesburg, rioters clashed with police and targeted suspected migrants, with sporadic gunfire reported near the central business district. The Daily Maverick noted that police deployed tactical vehicles and fired shots in Benoni, where they faced threats from approximately 500 protesters.
In Soweto, protesters looted the homes of foreign nationals, while police used rubber bullets to disperse crowds in Pietermaritzburg, near Durban. Historically, anti-migrant violence in South Africa has shown little distinction between legal and illegal immigrants.
Ngobese stated that March and March cannot be held accountable for the actions of individuals in various communities, saying, “Unfortunately, we can’t be in every single community telling them how to behave.”
Displacement and Fear
Reports indicate that landlords in Durban and Johannesburg have been illegally evicting foreign tenants in anticipation of the protests, leading to approximately 100 Congolese individuals sleeping on the streets of Durban. Their leader reported that they had been forced out of their homes.
The protests attracted thousands of predominantly poor and unemployed South Africans who blame foreign nationals for their economic struggles. In response to the unrest, thousands of police officers were deployed, and military forces were placed on standby.
Broader Implications
The surge in anti-immigrant sentiment and the perceived failure of law enforcement to protect victims have tarnished South Africa’s reputation as a defender of human rights, straining relations with other African nations. Critics argue that immigrants are unjustly blamed for job losses, crime, and pressure on public services—claims that lack empirical support.
Despite the end of apartheid three decades ago, South Africa remains a nation marked by inequality, with a third of its population unemployed. Nevertheless, it continues to attract migrants, with an immigrant population of approximately 3 million, representing about 4% of the total population, according to StatsSA.
Vigilante Actions and Political Responses
Deputy National Commissioner for Policing Tebello Mosikili reported that 103 criminal cases have been opened against anti-foreigner vigilantes since March. Some politicians have echoed the protesters’ concerns regarding illegal immigration, even while condemning the associated violence.
President Cyril Ramaphosa acknowledged the “deep concerns” of South Africans regarding illegal immigration, stating that these concerns deserve to be heard. However, he emphasized that the right to protest does not permit threats, intimidation, or acts of violence.
South African officials have noted that similar tensions over immigration exist in Western countries, often exacerbated by divisive politics and misinformation.
As reported by www.arnnewscentre.ae.
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Published on 2026-06-30 10:52:00 • By FAME Delivered News Desk