South Africa xenophobic protests spark mass departures and tighten migration policy

Since late May, loosely organised anti‑immigrant groups in South Africa have staged violent street protests, targeting foreign nationals. Demonstrators have set a deadline of 30 June for anyone without a South African passport or valid permit to leave, resulting in thousands of refugees fearing for their safety.

At the Nigerian embassy in Pretoria, more than 1,000 people queued with suitcases, some registering for voluntary repatriation. Malawi has already returned around 7,000 of its citizens by bus, while Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Ghana are preparing similar transport. The South African government has announced a crackdown on the unrest, ordering a large police operation on 30 June estimated to cost about 600 million rand (≈30 million €), and has warned that army deployment is possible.

In response, officials said the protests threaten public order and the economy, and have pledged to tighten migration regulations while warning protest leaders against taking the law into their own hands.