SOUTH AFRICA — Mass protests against undocumented immigrants across South Africa have exposed deep-seated economic frustrations, a severe cost of living crisis, and a profound lack of confidence in government leadership and security institutions. While demonstrations against immigration are not a new phenomenon in the country, having occurred as far back as 2001, the current wave of unrest is driven by acute economic suffering, high unemployment, and failing public services.
Large-scale marches have taken place in hotspots including Durban, Pietermaritzburg, and Johannesburg, while smaller, more volatile groupings have emerged in township areas such as Germiston. In some instances, residents have taken the law into their own hands to check the immigration status of foreigners. According to a social commentator and columnist, the situation reflects a severe national leadership crisis. The commentator noted that citizens are expressing a lack of faith in the President, questioning his integrity and his ability to command the nation. Drawing parallels to past national traumas, including the violence in Parliament and the July 2021 unrest, the commentator emphasized that the current instability stems from a broader failure of leadership across political parties and deteriorating institutions.
The commentator highlighted that the dangerous rhetoric surrounding the protests—including terms like “illegal foreigners,” “economic migrants,” “refugees,” “asylum seekers,” “xenophobia,” and “afrophobia”—serves as a code for prejudice and a loss of national confidence. They stressed that the root causes are economic, pointing to a cost of living crisis where greedy business practices exploit citizens. While fuel prices occasionally decrease, other government-regulated prices remain high. Furthermore, the commentator criticized the security services, noting that the police are largely untrusted by the public. They alleged that some police roadblocks are used merely to extract bribes, acting as “ATM deposits,” rather than effectively combating crime. They called for a return to genuine community policing and visible patrols to address all forms of crime, such as cell phone theft, rather than focusing solely on immigration.
Meanwhile, the government is processing and deporting thousands of foreign nationals following the unrest. At the permanent Musina refugee camp—located on the site of the former Musina playground and distinct from the temporary repatriation center currently under construction—thousands of foreign nationals, primarily from Zimbabwe and Malawi, are waiting to be transported to the Beitbridge border post. These individuals were relocated from the Deben repatriation center. The scene is described as squalid, with piles of luggage and fatigued, hungry individuals waiting for transport. Approximately 150 buses are expected to ferry the deportees, with dozens already arriving.
An Assistant Commissioner of the Border Management Authority (BMA) confirmed that the Department of Home Affairs is actively processing individuals transported from KwaZulu-Natal to Musina, which is closer to the border port. The processing center in KwaZulu-Natal was halted to facilitate this movement. The Commissioner stated that the deportees are being sent to Zimbabwe, Malawi, and Zambia. They reported that the BMA and Home Affairs have processed over 5,000 individuals at the border and center, with operations continuing to clear the backlog and gather statistics from other border posts.
In the Free State province, marches also occurred in Mangaung, Bloemfontein, though the numbers were smaller than in KwaZulu-Natal. Protesters marched to the Premier’s office to hand over a memorandum before dispersing peacefully in agreement with the police. Marchers returned to their respective hometowns, including Bavo, located 50 kilometers east of Bloemfontein, and Tabanchu, about 65 kilometers away. Following the memorandum handover, the Premier of the Free State led a raid on a flat complex in Bloemfontein after the community reported suspected illegal activities. During the operation, police arrested approximately 20 undocumented immigrants who were found hidden in various rooms.
During the Bloemfontein raid, police also investigated suspected stolen vehicles. Officers seized three cars after suspects claimed they had purchased them at auction without proper documentation. In one instance, a vehicle displaying falsified registration plates was traced to a local owner who was subsequently taken into custody. Additionally, authorities are searching for the owners and managers of several closed and looted spaza shops in the area.
In Durban, the epicenter of the recent demonstrations, a police spokesperson confirmed that law enforcement is applying the law to the fullest extent. The spokesperson announced that 10 individuals have been arrested for looting and stealing goods from shops. They emphasized that no lawlessness will be tolerated and that stealing goods is a crime, regardless of the angle from which it is committed.