South Africa's anti-immigrant backlash sparks government response

On 7 December 2025, nativist groups in South Africa issued an ultimatum ordering all undocumented immigrants to leave the country by 30 June 2026. The demand was echoed by other anti‑foreigner organisations and attracted support from several political parties. President Cyril Ramaphosa first responded on 7 June 2026 with a public statement and a follow‑up newsletter on 8 June, telling the public that the government is improving systems to identify undocumented foreigners, urging citizens not to take the law into their own hands and saying, “We are responding to real concerns communities have about the effects of unchecked illegal immigration on jobs and economic opportunities.”

The anti‑immigrant sentiment has fueled protests calling for mass deportations, with thousands of African migrants fleeing or being repatriated amid threats of violence. Analysts note that the unrest is rooted in South Africa’s chronic high unemployment, strained public services, and governance challenges rather than the small proportion of migrants, who comprise just over 4 % of the population. Calls for deregulating labour markets and improving service delivery are presented as longer‑term solutions to the crisis.