Thousands of African immigrants are departing South Africa due to a surge in anti-migration sentiment that has led to attacks against foreigners. This exodus coincides with recent protests and marches organized by anti-immigration groups who have declared June 30 as a deadline for undocumented individuals to leave the country and for the government to address their concerns about illegal immigration.
These groups have also threatened a nationwide shutdown if their demands are not met. South African authorities have heightened security measures, with the police minister indicating the anti-immigration groups are planning further significant demonstrations on the deadline date. In response to escalating tensions, thousands of immigrants have sought refuge in temporary shelters and near embassies, citing fears for their safety. Several countries have initiated the repatriation of their citizens, expressing criticism of South Africa for what they describe as a xenophobic climate.
Since March, anti-immigration protests in major cities have elevated the issue to a prominent position in national politics. The protest movements have attributed South Africa's high unemployment rates, public service failures, and crime to immigrants, claims that lack supporting evidence. President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the nation on television earlier this month, attempting to de-escalate the situation. He suggested that some protest groups are leveraging the issue for their political gain and emphasized that “illegal immigration is not the cause of our social and economic difficulties.” However, Ramaphosa also acknowledged deficiencies in South Africa's border control.
South Africa, recognized as one of Africa's more prosperous nations, has historically attracted migrants from other African countries seeking better opportunities. According to the most recent census data from 2022, there were 2.4 million foreign nationals residing in South Africa, a figure representing less than 4% of the country's total population of 62 million. Government critics contend that this figure does not account for undocumented individuals living in the country.
While immigration is a polarizing topic in the United States and Europe, South Africa is also grappling with the issue. In the past two years, South Africa has deported over 100,000 individuals deemed to be in the country illegally, according to the home affairs ministry. Additionally, approximately 500,000 people have been prevented from entering the country at borders for lacking proper documentation. These statistics have bolstered the claims made by anti-immigration groups regarding the scale of the problem.
Authorities are investigating recent incidents of violence fueled by anti-immigrant sentiment. Among these is the killing of two Mozambicans in a coastal town earlier this month amidst unrest that saw over 50 homes in an immigrant neighborhood set ablaze. Another investigation was launched after a Malawian man was allegedly stoned to death in a different part of the country during anti-immigration protests last week. Other attacks have also been reported.
South Africa has a history of xenophobic violence. Migrants from less affluent nations such as Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Malawi often settle in impoverished South African communities where unemployment and frustration are high. A spokesperson for United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres stated that Guterres is “deeply concerned by reports of xenophobic attacks and acts of harassment and intimidation against migrants and foreign nationals in parts of South Africa.”
Past instances of anti-immigrant violence include a wave in 2008 that resulted in over 60 deaths, affecting both South Africans and foreign nationals, originating from Johannesburg. Sporadic outbreaks of violence against immigrants have occurred since then.
The current surge in tensions has drawn strong criticism from several African nations, including Nigeria, Ghana, and Mozambique, who assert that their citizens are being targeted. Thousands of migrants have departed South Africa as tensions escalate ahead of the protesters' June 30 deadline. Nigeria and Ghana have facilitated the return of nearly 2,000 individuals via government-sponsored flights, citing safety concerns, and have indicated further evacuations. Zimbabwe and Mozambique have also repatriated smaller numbers of their citizens. Approximately 10,000 Malawians had gathered at a temporary shelter in Durban, seeking to return home. While over 8,000 have since departed on buses provided by the Malawian government or private sponsors, others continue to arrive. South African authorities have stated their assistance in facilitating these repatriations, while also formally deporting many individuals for lacking the necessary documentation to reside in the country.