A specialized police team is investigating the killing of an anti-migrant leader in South Africa, who died days after being shot.
The leader, identified as Andile Mvuyelwa Somgxada, was the provincial leader for the group March and March. The group had set an unofficial deadline of June 30 for all undocumented migrants to leave the country, and protesters have vowed to hold weekly marches until their demands are met. "The law applies equally to everyone," stated Lt Gen Dimpane, warning against intimidation, harassment, and violence directed at foreign nationals. "No individual or group has the authority to conduct immigration inspections, verify legal status, or remove people from communities."
Immigration, particularly undocumented migration, has become a significant political issue in South Africa. Protesters accuse migrants of straining public services and contributing to crime. Xenophobia has long been a challenge in the nation, which attracts migrants seeking economic opportunities.
This current wave of demonstrations has been marked by violence, intimidation, and looting. In one recent incident in Limpopo province, five individuals were arrested for allegedly impersonating immigration officers and unlawfully demanding that foreign nationals leave the country. The suspects reportedly intimidated a Nigerian national who was legally residing in South Africa, forcing him to close his business.
The South African government reported that over 53,000 foreign nationals have been deported or repatriated since the launch of a "migration management" campaign five weeks prior to these events. Official figures indicate that more than three million documented foreign nationals reside in South Africa, not including those present without legal status.
Several African countries, including Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, and Uganda, have organized flights and buses to facilitate the return of their citizens in recent weeks. A representative for March and March, when questioned about the treatment of foreign nationals by anti-migrant protesters, stated that the group rejects "any form of violence" and "any form of anti-law."