South Africa prepares for anti‑immigrant protests as thousands of migrants flee

President Cyril Ramaphosa warned that only the state may enforce immigration laws and said “Our security forces are ready and those who transgress the measures we are putting in place will definitely meet the might of the law.” He appealed for calm ahead of nationwide anti‑immigrant demonstrations scheduled for 30 June, stressing that xenophobic attacks and vigilantism will not be tolerated.

Police and security agencies have been placed on high alert, with a special operation costing more than 600 million rand and deployments across all nine provinces. Deputy Police Minister Polly Boshielo said there will be “no tolerance for vigilantism, xenophobic violence or intimidation.” Regional police commissioner General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi and acting KwaZulu‑Natal commissioner Phumelele Makoba also pledged to prevent violence.

Anti‑immigration groups, notably March and March, have set a 30 June deadline for undocumented foreigners to leave. Thousands of migrants – primarily Malawians, Zimbabweans, Mozambicans and other African nationals – have gathered in makeshift camps in Durban, Cape Town and other cities, seeking transport home. South African officials report that more than 15,000 Malawians have been processed for repatriation, with additional thousands awaiting clearance. Neighboring countries, including Malawi, Mozambique, Ghana and Nigeria, are conducting voluntary evacuations of their citizens.

The situation unfolds amid rising anti‑immigrant sentiment, recent xenophobic attacks that have killed at least three people, and looming local elections, raising concerns of further unrest and a deepening humanitarian crisis.