South Africa anti-migrant protesters target SADC summit

Anti-migrant protesters gathered near the Southern African Development Community (SADC) summit in Durban, South Africa, demanding that regional leaders repatriate undocumented foreign nationals. The movement, including the group March and March, has set a deadline of September 30, 2026, for illegal migrants to leave the country.

Recent intensified protests have led to significant unrest, with an estimated 176,000 foreign nationals—primarily from Malawi, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe—fleeing South Africa. While South African police reported at least four migrant deaths due to violence, some foreign governments suggest the actual toll is higher.

President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed that the nation should be ‘deeply ashamed’ of the discrimination and ill-treatment faced by foreign nationals. Amidst high unemployment and inequality, South Africa has called for an Africa-wide conference to address migration issues as it assumes the SADC chairship.