BY: Ibraheem Muhammad Mustapha
For weeks, many foreign nationals living in South Africa have been packing their belongings, closing their shops and seeking refuge in churches, community centres and temporary shelters. Some have chosen to return to their home countries voluntarily. Others have remained indoors, fearing violence.
The immediate trigger is a series of nationwide demonstrations organised for 30 June 2026 by anti-migrant groups that have demanded undocumented migrants leave South Africa. Although organisers have said their campaign is directed at undocumented migration rather than foreign nationals generally, many migrants, including those legally residing in the country, say they fear becoming targets because previous outbreaks of xenophobic violence have rarely distinguished between documented and undocumented migrants.
The protests have disrupted daily life in several cities. Businesses owned by foreign nationals closed ahead of the demonstrations, workers stayed away from their jobs, public transport services were reduced in some areas and landlords reportedly evicted foreign tenants over fears that buildings could be attacked. Police and members of the South African National Defence Force were deployed across major urban centres, including Johannesburg and Durban, as authorities prepared for possible unrest.
Why are the protests happening?
The demonstrations did not emerge overnight.
South Africa has grappled with recurring tensions over immigration for more than two decades. High unemployment, pressure on public services, persistent inequality and concerns about crime have fuelled public frustration. Some activist groups argue that undocumented migration has worsened these problems by increasing competition for jobs, housing and social services.
Those claims remain contested.
Researchers and migration experts have repeatedly said there is limited evidence that undocumented migrants are the primary driver of South Africa’s unemployment or crime rates. Nonetheless, such arguments have become increasingly prominent in political debate, particularly as the country continues to struggle with one of the world’s highest unemployment rates.
Groups such as Operation Dudula, March and March and other organisations advocating stricter immigration enforcement have grown in visibility over recent years. They maintain that their campaign is aimed at undocumented migration and not at foreign nationals generally. Critics, however, argue that their rhetoric has contributed to a climate in which documented migrants are also threatened and attacked.
Why 30 June?
The protests were built around a self-imposed deadline set by organisers, who called on undocumented migrants to leave South Africa by 30 June 2026.
The date carries no legal significance.
Neither the South African government nor the courts established such a deadline. Immigration enforcement remains the responsibility of the state, and authorities have repeatedly emphasised that private citizens have no legal authority to detain, remove or assault suspected undocumented migrants. President Cyril Ramaphosa has acknowledged public concern about illegal immigration while condemning vigilantism and xenophobic attacks.
The humanitarian impact
Even before the demonstrations began, thousands of migrants had already left their homes.
Some sought assistance from their embassies to return to countries including Zimbabwe, Malawi and Nigeria. Others moved into temporary shelters after reporting intimidation, threats and attacks in communities where anti-migrant sentiment had intensified during June. Human rights organisations warned that fear of violence had displaced many families despite official assurances that security forces would protect residents.
Misinformation follows the protests
As the protests gathered momentum, social media platforms were flooded with misleading content.
Old television reports were recirculated as though they showed current events. AI-manipulated videos falsely attributed inflammatory statements to interviewees. Fabricated government notices appeared to announce new immigration measures, while unrelated videos from previous years were presented as evidence of violence linked to the demonstrations.
South African authorities have publicly warned against sharing unverified content, saying misinformation has complicated efforts to keep communities informed and prevent further violence. Several government departments have issued corrections after fake notices bearing official logos circulated widely online.
What comes next?
While many of Tuesday’s demonstrations remained peaceful, authorities continue to monitor isolated incidents of violence, intimidation and property damage. More than 80 incitement related criminal cases have already been opened in recent months, and police say further action will be taken against anyone who incites violence or spreads false information capable of provoking unrest.
