Key Takeaways
- The Police Ministry warned that violence against foreign nationals will be met with decisive, unhindered police action.
- Recent protests led by groups such as March and March, Operation Dudula, ActionSA, IFP and MK Party have intensified anti‑migrant rhetoric and targeted undocumented foreigners.
- Protesters demand mass deportations, stricter immigration controls, review of asylum policies, and accountability for corrupt police officers.
- Government officials, including the Deputy Government Spokesperson and President Cyril Ramaphosa, reiterated commitment to the rule of law, human dignity, and condemned xenophobic violence.
- Experts caution that anti‑immigrant sentiment is being politicised ahead of the 2026 local elections and may facilitate vigilante justice and criminal conduct.
- International bodies, notably the United Nations, have expressed deep concern and urged prompt, impartial investigations that uphold human rights.
Police Ministry Issues Firm Warning
The Police Ministry, through spokesperson Kamogelo Mogotsi, issued a stern declaration that any act of violence or intimidation directed at foreign nationals will be met with decisive and unhindered police action. Mogotsi emphasized that such conduct is unlawful and contradicts South Africa’s constitutional values of dignity, equality, and human rights. She urged community leaders, civil society organisations, and all stakeholders to cooperate with law‑enforcement agencies to prevent further violence and to foster dialogue and understanding. The statement makes clear that the South African Police Service (SAPS) will not hesitate to intervene when attacks against migrants occur.
Rise of Anti‑Migrant Sentiment Across the Country
The warning follows a noticeable surge in anti‑migrant rhetoric and protests in several provinces. Analysts note that anti‑immigrant sentiment has gained political traction, with claims that foreigners are taking jobs and exploiting public services. Previous demonstrations linked to immigration concerns have occasionally turned violent, echoing South Africa’s long‑standing xenophobia problem that periodically erupts into deadly clashes. The current climate is marked by organised marches, social‑media campaigns, and public statements that frame undocumented migrants as threats to national security and economic stability.
March and March Leads Gauteng Protest
On Wednesday, the controversial anti‑migrant movement March and March marched to the Gauteng Provincial Legislature, joined by Operation Dudula, ActionSA, the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), and the MK Party. Protesters accused the government of failing to act decisively against undocumented migration and alleged crimes involving foreign nationals and unauthorised religious leaders. Heavy police and metro‑police presence accompanied the demonstration, yet tensions flared in the Johannesburg CBD where marchers, some wielding sjamboks, ordered foreign shop owners to close their businesses, prompting several shutdowns as threats intensified.
Demands for Mass Deportation and Policy Overhaul
Addressing the crowd, March and March leader Jacinta Ngodese Zuma articulated the group’s core demands: the immediate deportation of all undocumented foreigners, a review of documentation processes, and action against those who obtain papers unlawfully. Zuma also called for preferential ownership of city‑premier stores by South African citizens and denounced corrupt police officers allegedly colluding with illegal migrants, chanting “Down with corrupt police officers!” The movement’s broader platform includes tighter immigration controls, stricter visa regulations, asylum‑policy review, penalties for businesses employing undocumented workers, accountability for corrupt police, and limits on services available to undocumented migrants.
ActionSA Echoes Deportation Call
ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba echoed the deportation demand, stating that the government should send all illegal foreigners back to their countries so South Africans can focus on domestic problems. Mashaba warned that inaction could fuel xenophobia, citing the ongoing case of Mazwi Khubheka, a 27‑year‑old from Vosloorus who was kidnapped and allegedly hijacked by foreigners. He argued that failing to act allows criminal syndicates to gain influence and suggested that had the government addressed undocumented migration two decades ago, the current crisis might have been avoided.
Government Response and Reform Measures
Following the march, Deputy Government Spokesperson William Baloyi acknowledged public discourse on immigration and reaffirmed the state’s commitment to sovereignty, security, the rule of law, and human dignity. Baloyi outlined measures to tighten border controls, combat illicit trade and fraudulent activities, and modernise immigration management. Central to this reform is the rollout of an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system designed to enhance secure, transparent, and efficient movement of people. Infrastructure upgrades at major land ports—Lebombo, Beitbridge, Oshoek, Kopfontein, Maseru Bridge, and Ficksburg—are planned via public‑private partnerships. Additionally, the Department of Labour and Employment will hire 10,000 new permanent labour inspectors to boost compliance audits and combat exploitation.
Presidential Appeal for Restraint
President Cyril Ramaphosa, speaking at his Freedom Day address, called for restraint and warned against xenophobia. He reminded the nation that South Africa’s liberation was bolstered by solidarity from fellow African countries that opened borders, shared resources, and advocated for the struggle. Ramaphosa stressed that trampling on this African fellowship would betray the very foundations of South Africa’s freedom and urged citizens to uphold the values of unity and human dignity.
United Nations Voices Concern
The United Nations also condemned the attacks, with Secretary‑General António Guterres’s spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric describing the chief as “deeply concerned” by reports of xenophobic attacks, harassment, and intimidation against migrants in KwaZulu‑Natal and the Eastern Cape. The UN stressed that violence, vigilantism, and incitement to hatred have no place in an inclusive, democratic society governed by the rule of law and respect for human rights. It urged that any investigations be prompt, thorough, independent, and impartial, and that responses uphold human rights and dignity.
Experts Warn of Politicised Xenophobia
Immigration analyst Craig Smith warned that anti‑immigrant sentiment is being exploited as electioneering ahead of the 2026 local government polls. He characterised the issue as a “hot potato” that politicians wield without fully understanding the legal distinctions between documented and undocumented foreigners. Smith cautioned that loose, irresponsible use of terms like “illegal” can incite criminal conduct and warned that the Department of Home Affairs must fulfil its mandate rather than allowing vigilante actions to fill the void. He suggested creating volunteer programmes to verify legal status door‑to‑door as a constructive alternative to taking the law into one’s own hands.
Outlook and Call for Coordinated Action
The convergence of political mobilisation, public protests, and official statements underscores a volatile environment where anti‑migrant fervour risks translating into real‑world violence. While the government has pledged stronger border controls, modernised immigration systems, and increased labour‑inspector capacity, civil‑society leaders and international observers stress that sustainable solutions require dialogue, respect for human rights, and a firm stance against vigilantism. Continued monitoring, impartial investigations, and proactive community engagement will be essential to prevent further escalation and to preserve South Africa’s commitment to dignity, equality, and the rule of law.