Hundreds of foreign nationals have been forced to flee their homes and seeking refuge in community halls along South Africa’s south coast, as antimigrant mobs conduct door-to-door campaigns, demanding that foreigners leave the country.
This latest surge in xenophobic violence has led to fatalities and widespread
displacement, drawing condemnation from international bodies and raising serious concerns about the safety of migrants in South Africa.
Escalating Violence and Displacement
The recent wave of attacks, primarily targeting Malawian and Mozambican nationals, saw mobs brandishing whips, sticks, wooden clubs, and even axes, forcing individuals from their residences.
Many migrants recounted harrowing experiences of fleeing into mountains
and bushes to escape the violence before finding temporary shelter in community centers.
Thomas Vincent Baloyi, a Mozambican construction worker who has lived in South.Africa for nearly 16yrs, described being chased away “like dogs” despite having legal documentation, according AFP News Agency.
The violence escalated significantly in Mossel Bay, where 55 shacks were torched, and two Mozambican nationals were killed during anti-foreigner demonstrations.
While South African police confirmed two deaths, the Mozambican government stated that five of its citizens were killed as a direct consequence of these attacks.
This incident marks the first reported fatalities in this new wave of anti-migrant protests.
The Role of the ‘March and March’ Movement
A key instigator of the current unrest is the “March and March” movement, which has set a June 30 deadline for undocumented migrants to leave the country.
The movement, led by Jacinta Ngobese -Zuma, claims to be advocating for the stronger immigration enforcement and protecting opportunities for South African citizens, but its rhetoric has been criticized for drawing on xenophobic tropes and dehumanizing foreign nationals.
Ngobese-Zuma and her movement have made several claims, including that immigrants are criminals, that “spaza shop mafias” are running the country, and that South Africa is being invaded.
These claims have been widely debunked by studies and government data, which show no disproportionate involvement of immigrants in crime, and that foreign- owned shops contribute significantly to the economy.
Government Response and Diplomatic Fallout
In response to the escalating tensions, South African government ministers held a “highlevel” meeting to address illegal immigration and the rise in anti- immigration protests.
While acknowledging public frustration over socio-economic conditions, Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi warned against unlawful and violent conduct, emphasizing the importance of peaceful protests.
Deputy Home Affairs Minister Njabulo Nzuza urged other countries to address issues that force their citizens to migrate.
The crisis has also triggered diplomatic reactions. Ghana formally requested that the African Union (AU) discuss the xenophobic attacks in South Africa, seeking a fact-finding mission.
South Africa, in turn, expressed its willingness to provide a report to the AU,
attributing the crisis to broader migration pressures and noting that it hosts an estimated 3 million migrants.
Nigeria has also issued warnings and considered emergency repatriation flights for its citizens.
Historical Context of Xenophobia in South Africa
Xenophobia is a recurring and deeply rooted problem in post-apartheid South Africa, with significant outbreaks of violence recorded in 2008, 2015, 2019, and 2021-2022.
The Human Rights Watch report highlights that vigilantes have carried out violent xenophobic attacks targeting African and Asian foreign nationals for weeks, with little effective response
from authorities.
These groups often scapegoat foreign nationals for South Africa’s economic woes, high unemployment rates (over 43%), and poor service delivery, despite
studies disproving these claims.
International bodies, including the UN Secretary-General and the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, have expressed concerns and called on South Africa to investigate the violence, ensure accountability, and protect migrants.
South Africa’s constitution guarantees human rights to all within its borders, and the country is party to international conventions against racial discrimination and for the protection of human rights.