South Africa experiences largest anti-illegal immigration demonstrations since 2008
Thousands marched across various regions of South Africa on Tuesday to protest against illegal immigration. These demonstrations heightened concerns about xenophobic violence and prompted more migrants to depart the country.
Demonstrators numbering in the thousands assembled in several parts of South Africa on Tuesday, voicing their opposition to illegal immigration. These gatherings marked the most significant migration-related protests since the outbreak of anti-migrant violence in 2008. Authorities reported that the marches were predominantly peaceful, notwithstanding isolated incidents of looting and attempted looting. Police stated that several arrests were made, without specifying a number.
The protests followed an ultimatum issued by some protest groups, setting a June 30 deadline for all undocumented migrants to leave the country. The South African government rejected this demand, asserting that only official bodies possess the authority to enforce immigration laws. President Cyril Ramaphosa, who has refuted claims that migrants are to blame for the nation’s social and economic challenges, met with some protest leaders on Monday evening. He urged them to ensure the demonstrations remained peaceful.
During a late-night press conference on Tuesday, Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi commended the largely peaceful nature of the protests but issued a stern warning against criminal activities. “Those who chose to exploit the marches to commit criminal acts will face the full might of the law,” she stated. “Police will continue to identify, arrest and prosecute all those responsible for criminal conduct.”
Among the most prominent groups opposing illegal immigration are March and March, Operation Dudula, and Progressive Forces. These activists contend that undocumented migrants are displacing South African workers by accepting low wages and attribute other issues, including crime, to their presence.
Ngizwe Mchunu, a protest leader, informed the Associated Press that illegal migration has contributed to the proliferation of illicit drugs in South Africa. He also expressed disapproval of the numerous informal neighborhood shops operated by immigrants from other African nations, arguing that these businesses should be owned by South Africans. “It’s a very sad story that we have been telling our government since the dawn of democracy that illegal immigration here is out of hand,” Mchunu said. “It is time for our government to put South Africa first.”
Amnesty International South Africa commented that migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers are being unfairly scapegoated for unemployment, inequality, and strained public services. The human rights organization attributed these problems to the enduring legacy of apartheid, persistent disparities, and shortcomings in the asylum system. They also cautioned that misinformation and xenophobia could escalate violence against migrants.
In Johannesburg’s city center, participants in the protest included young men carrying traditional fighting sticks and women of various ages. Some displayed the South African flag and sang liberation anthems. Their posters bore slogans such as “SA withdraw from the U.N. refugee convention,” “The future of our kids,” and “80% of children born in Limpopo province are born to foreign nationals.”
“Today is the last day,” declared protester Nkele Thebe at the commencement of the Johannesburg march. “After today, we’ll be dealing with our president and our nation. We don’t want an outsider to come interfere.” Another protester, Bongani Cindi, asserted that groups opposing illegal immigration are being unjustly labeled as xenophobic. “Our country has got a lot of problems. We have influx of illegal immigrants who are committing crimes that we can’t even take anymore. So we need them to leave us in peace, so we can sort our house. We are not fighting anyone,” he stated.
Demonstrations also took place in parts of Durban, with reports of further protests in the North West and Free State provinces. Police deployed hundreds of officers in cities including Johannesburg in Gauteng province and Durban in KwaZulu-Natal province in anticipation of potential unrest. Previous marches against illegal immigration have resulted in attacks on migrants and damage to businesses owned by foreign nationals. In Johannesburg, most shops, whether owned by foreign nationals or locals, were closed before the protesters arrived, while private security firms guarded businesses in some areas.
The protests have also prompted many migrants to seek ways to return to their home countries. Thousands of migrants, primarily from neighboring Zimbabwe and Malawi, gathered at their respective embassies and consulates to request assistance with repatriation. In recent days, traffic has increased at the Beitbridge checkpoint on the Zimbabwe border as buses carrying migrants departed South Africa. Thousands of Malawian nationals also returned home from a temporary repatriation center in Durban.
Three groups of Nigerian migrants returned to Nigeria this month amidst escalating anti-immigrant sentiment. This included 271 individuals who arrived in Lagos on Tuesday. Nigerian officials reported that 632 Nigerians had been repatriated out of over 1,000 who had registered for voluntary repatriation, with additional flights scheduled in the coming days.
Emmanuella Akagbosun, a 44-year-old who relocated to South Africa in 2017, stated that she left due to fears for her safety. She recounted that the shop she co-owned with her sister was ransacked by anti-migrant protesters, and their merchandise was looted. “We are not safe, so we had to leave,” Akagbosun said from Lagos. Fintan Opara, another Nigerian national who returned after 18 years in South Africa, expressed that most Nigerians no longer feel welcome there.
Minister Kubayi indicated that South Africa has successfully repatriated 4,286 individuals and deported an additional 419 in recent days. While the protests were largely peaceful on Tuesday, the demonstrations, the intense debate surrounding migration, and the increasing number of people leaving the country underscore the persistent tensions surrounding this issue in South Africa.
