Over 160,000 individuals have departed South Africa as citizen-led protests demanding the removal of illegal immigrants intensify, mirroring political debates seen across Western nations regarding border control and immigration policy. The movement, spearheaded by groups like the March and March movement, claims the presence of up to 30 million undocumented immigrants fuels rampant crime, strains employment, and overburdens public services.
Demonstrations have occurred nationwide, with some incidents involving house-to-house searches and calls for immigrants to leave, particularly in areas like Soweto. Reports indicate that hundreds were arrested during nationwide protests in July, and one death was reported in the Johannesburg area. The March and March movement, though advocating for immigrants to leave, states its opposition to violence, while acknowledging that its followers often carry traditional sticks known as knobkerries.
Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, leader of the March and March movement, asserts that the number of illegal immigrants in South Africa ranges between 15 and 30 million. She claims these undocumented individuals contribute to a high crime rate, with many remaining unidentified due to a lack of fingerprint records and official documentation. This claim contrasts with official figures from Statistics South Africa, which, based on a 2022 census, estimates around three million immigrants, though this figure has been questioned by critics who suggest it may include legally admitted individuals and that the organization is influenced by the governing ANC party.
Official unemployment in South Africa stands at 32.7%. President Cyril Ramaphosa has acknowledged that some employers hire undocumented immigrants for wages below the minimum wage and longer working hours without adequate compensation. Ngobese-Zuma argues that in communities with high unemployment, South Africans should be prioritized for available jobs.
Public services are also reportedly strained, with long wait times at government hospitals, such as the Helen Joseph hospital in Johannesburg, attributed in part to a high influx of foreign nationals utilizing these facilities. Ngobese-Zuma stated that the welfare system, including healthcare and education, is being utilized by people from across the African continent and globally, with the costs borne by taxpayers.
Border security has been criticized as lax, with reports of individuals crossing rivers to enter the country, and endemic bribery and corruption at border posts. In response to public outcry and ahead of local elections, President Ramaphosa has pledged to increase immigration enforcement. As of July 11, the government reported that 53,449 foreign nationals had been processed for deportation and repatriation, a figure considered small by critics such as Herman Mashaba, president of Action SA, who advocates for mass deportations and strengthened immigration enforcement.
Analyst Frans Cronje noted that immigration is a significant concern for South Africans, ranking second only to unemployment in recent polls. Black South Africans, comprising 82% of the population, are reportedly three times more likely than their white counterparts to view immigration as a problem. Hostility towards immigrants is high, with accusations of job and business displacement, and contributions to high crime rates.
Ngobese-Zuma criticized the government's perceived complacency on immigration and crime issues, suggesting that authorities should proactively remove individuals unwelcome in communities before citizens take matters into their own hands. Previous years have seen significant violence related to anti-immigrant sentiment, including 62 deaths in riots in 2008 and at least five in 2015.
The March and March movement has stated its determination to address the issue, regardless of accusations of xenophobia. The South African government did not respond to requests for comment from Fox News Digital.