Cape Town—South Africa is experiencing heightened tensions amid a surge in anti-immigrant sentiment that has led to violent attacks on foreign nationals and widespread unrest. The situation has escalated ahead of a June 30 deadline set by anti-immigration groups demanding that undocumented migrants leave the country and urging the government to take more stringent action. These groups have also threatened a “national shutdown” if their demands are not met.
Authorities are on heightened alert as the deadline approaches, with police minister emphasizing preparations for increased protests planned by these groups. Thousands of African immigrants have sought refuge in temporary shelters and near foreign embassies, citing fears of further violence. Several African governments, including Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Malawi, have initiated repatriation efforts, organizing flights and bus transport to bring their citizens home. Nigeria and Ghana alone have repatriated nearly 2,000 people, with more planned evacuations expected.
The recent unrest is part of a broader wave of anti-immigration protests that have swept through major South African cities since March, fueled by groups blaming immigrants for the country’s high unemployment, strained public services, and crime rates. However, these accusations lack clear evidence, and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has sought to diffuse tensions by highlighting that illegal immigration is not the root cause of the nation’s social and economic challenges. Ramaphosa acknowledged shortcomings in border control measures but warned that some protest groups were exploiting the issue for political gain.
South Africa, the continent’s largest economy, has historically attracted migrants from neighboring countries seeking economic opportunities. According to the 2022 census, approximately 2.4 million foreign nationals reside in the country—about 4% of its 62 million population. Critics argue that official data undervalue the number of undocumented migrants. Over the past two years, the Department of Home Affairs has reported deporting over 100,000 people and preventing about 500,000 others from crossing borders without documentation, figures that fuel anti-immigration groups’ claims of a widespread issue.
Recent violence has underscored long-standing xenophobic tensions, with police investigating multiple attacks on migrants. This month, two Mozambican nationals were killed in a coastal town amid unrest that also destroyed more than 50 homes in an immigrant neighborhood. Last week, a Malawian man was reportedly killed during protests, alongside other reported assaults. South Africa has a history of sporadic xenophobic violence dating back to a major outbreak in 2008, when more than 60 people, both locals and foreigners, were killed.
The United Nations has expressed concern over the escalating violence. A spokesperson for Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned xenophobic attacks and intimidation against migrants and foreign nationals in South Africa. Several African governments have also criticized South Africa for failing to protect their citizens, highlighting the ongoing vulnerability of migrants amid deep-rooted social and economic frustrations in the country’s impoverished communities.