South Africa is preparing for planned anti-migrant demonstrations on June 30, with authorities warning of potential unrest and preparing for possible violence.
President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered a resolute message amid escalating tensions across the country, stating: “We will not tolerate any attempts to destabilize the country by anyone, whether during the march or otherwise.” The protests were organized by groups, including “March and March” and others, that oppose illegal migration. These organizations have set an unofficial deadline for migrants without legal status to leave the country, raising fears of a resurgence of xenophobic violence in a country that has experienced repeated outbreaks since the end of apartheid in 1994.
Police Minister Firoz Cachalia emphasized that while peaceful protest is protected by South Africa’s constitution, any illegal actions will be met with force. He added that criminality, intimidation, violence, destruction of property, and any attempts to undermine public safety will not be tolerated.
Government acknowledges delayed response
Cachalia also acknowledged that the authorities were too slow to respond to the growing tension and xenophobic rhetoric. “We hesitated for too long to speak out clearly on this issue. There is no reason why someone should come to a demonstration with any item that could be used as a weapon,” he said.
In recent weeks, there has been an increase in attacks on foreign nationals. Vigilante groups, often associated with right-wing populist rhetoric, have conducted raids in neighborhoods, looted migrant-owned businesses, and intimidated those suspected of being foreign. Although these groups claim their actions are directed against illegal migrants, in practice, they often target anyone perceived as an outsider, including people of African or Asian descent, regardless of their legal status. Several African countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, and Malawi, have been forced to evacuate their citizens.
Migration itself has steadily increased over the decades. According to Statistics South Africa, in 1996, migrants made up 2.1% of the population. By 2022, this figure had risen to 3.9%, or about 2.4 million people, including both legal and illegal residents.
Structural problems and distrust
Analysts point to deep-seated structural problems behind the unrest. Political commentator Tessa Dooms argues that the current crisis reflects long-standing governance failures. “The South African government has largely created this dilemma for itself,” she told DW.
President Ramaphosa on Friday emphasized the importance of regional cooperation, stressing that no country can thrive alone. Dooms described a pattern where the authorities delay action on core challenges such as unemployment, public services, and poverty. “It ignores problems, tolerates corruption, allows decay to deepen, and reacts only when the situation reaches its peak,” she explained.
According to her, the government underestimated movements like “March and March” and “Operation Dudula,” particularly their ability to mobilize various social groups. “They [the government] are unprepared; they misanalyze the problem. They think it’s just an anti-migrant movement, whereas in reality, migration is offered as a solution for people facing a multitude of other crises,” added Dooms.
High youth unemployment, limited access to healthcare and education, and growing inequality have fueled frustration in many communities. For some, anti-migrant activity provides a sense of being heard. “So, it’s not that people are xenophobic, but that they see this particular movement as a place where they can be heard and where they can find a simple solution to complex problems,” said Dooms, adding that the government has failed to address these issues and “is in no way prepared to deal with this on June 30.”
In response, the authorities are mobilizing police forces and even hiring private security firms to manage potential unrest. The cost of these measures is expected to reach 600 million rand (32 million euros, 36 million US dollars), reflecting the scale of the anticipated challenge. However, skepticism about the effectiveness of such measures is widespread. Dooms argues that ensuring human rights requires functioning law enforcement institutions, not just warnings. “For this, they need law enforcement agencies,” she said, criticizing the lack of prosecutions and accountability. “All this is happening while the country’s top police officials are sitting in the Madlanga Commission.”
This commission, established in July 2025 and named after Judge Mbuyiseli Madlanga, investigates allegations of corruption, political interference, and the infiltration of organized crime in the police. Trust in law enforcement remains low. Fredson Guilengue of the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation notes that migrants often view the police as part of the problem. “The South African police are still seen by the victims of these attacks as a xenophobic institution,” he told DW. “I see no changes.” He also criticized the government’s reactive approach: “Until the leaders of these movements feel the full force of the law, they will not stop intimidating immigrants.”
Beyond police action, systemic problems in migration management also fuel tensions. Guilengue points to corruption and inefficiency in immigration systems, which contribute to public discontent and create opportunities for vigilante actions. He warned that recent government actions—such as increasing deportations, workplace inspections, and fines for employing illegal migrants—risk reinforcing anti-foreign narratives. “Numerous policy changes have been implemented… which essentially means that the government agrees with the narrative that South Africa is under attack by foreigners,” he said.
Analysts argue that addressing xenophobia requires tackling its root causes. Youth unemployment remains stubbornly high: nearly 61% of young South Africans were unemployed at the beginning of 2026, while overall unemployment stood at 32.7%. For Dooms, solutions must engage both local communities and politicians. “You can engage them in a conversation about the real issues they face,” she said, emphasizing dialogue over confrontation.
As South Africa approaches June 30, the situation highlights not only tensions over migration but also deep-seated economic and political challenges that remain unresolved.
Source: Deutsche Welle