Rising Tensions Ahead of June 30 Ultimatum for Undocumented Migrants in South Africa
South Africa is experiencing a surge of anti‑migrant sentiment as civic‑led groups press the government to enforce a June 30 deadline for undocumented foreigners to leave the country. The campaign, which began in early May, has sparked daily demonstrations, occasional clashes, and a growing humanitarian concern for thousands of migrants and registered refugees who now seek shelter outside Home Office offices and consulates.
Background of the Civic‑Led Campaign
The initiative is spearheaded by a coalition known as “March and March,” a loose network of community organisations that claim undocumented migrants exacerbate crime and strain public services. In a statement released on May 12, the group asserted that “the presence of illegal residents threatens the safety and livelihoods of South African citizens” and called on authorities to “enforce existing immigration laws without delay.”
While the coalition frames its demands as a law‑and‑order issue, human‑rights monitors warn that the rhetoric risks fueling xenophobia. The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) issued a briefing on May 18 noting an uptick in hate‑speech incidents linked to the campaign and urged the government to protect vulnerable populations.
Protests and Violence in Durban and Beyond
On Saturday, May 25, dozens of protesters gathered in Durban’s city centre, marching toward the Home Office building. Witnesses reported that the demonstration turned tense when a small faction threw stones at police lines, prompting officers to use tear gas to disperse the crowd. Similar scenes unfolded in Cape Town on May 22, where a peaceful rally was interrupted by clashes after alleged provocation from counter‑protesters.
According to the South African Police Service (SAPS) incident log, there were 14 recorded arrests related to anti‑migrant marches between May 1 and May 28, with charges ranging from public violence to possession of dangerous weapons. SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Vish Naidoo emphasized that “public order will be maintained, and any criminal conduct will be dealt with according to the law.”
Migrants Seeking Shelter Outside Government Offices
Outside the Durban Home Office, an estimated 2,300 individuals—including documented refugees, asylum seekers, and undocumented workers—have set up makeshift camps, sleeping on sidewalks and under tarpaulins. Many say they fled their home countries due to conflict or economic hardship and have lived in South Africa for years, some for more than a decade.
Amanuel Kebede, a 34‑year‑old Ethiopian national who has resided in Johannesburg since 2015, told a local reporter: “We are not criminals. We work, we pay taxes, and we send money home. Now we feel unsafe in the very neighbourhoods where we have built our lives.”
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) estimates that roughly 180,000 refugees and asylum seekers were residing in South Africa at the end of 2023, with a significant portion originating from Ghana, Nigeria, Malawi, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique. While the exact number of undocumented migrants is harder to ascertain, the Department of Home Affairs reported in its 2023/24 annual review that approximately 12,500 individuals were detected during routine immigration checks.
Calls for Government Protection and Legal Status Clarification
Camp leaders and advocacy groups are urging the South African government to fulfill its constitutional duty to protect all persons within its borders, regardless of immigration status. Gerard Itablo, a spokesperson for the Durban encampment, said: “They are preparing something that is very bad for us. But we still hope that the government still has a chance to stop these rumors, stop these criminals, stop this Afrophobia.”
Legal experts from the University of Cape Town’s Refugee Rights Programme note that South Africa’s Refugees Act of 1998 obliges the state to provide protection to those who qualify as refugees, and that any mass expulsion without individual assessment could violate both domestic law and international obligations under the 1951 Refugee Convention.
Security Preparations and Potential Outcomes
In anticipation of further marches scheduled for Tuesday, May 28, SAPS has placed additional units on high alert in major metropolitan areas, including Johannesburg, Pretoria, and Port Elizabeth. Police spokesperson Brigadier Naidoo confirmed that over 500 officers would be deployed to monitor protests and respond swiftly to any outbreaks of violence.
Observers warn that if the June 30 deadline passes without a clear government response, the situation could deteriorate further, leading to increased displacement, heightened tensions between communities, and potential breaches of South Africa’s international human‑rights commitments.
As the deadline approaches, the nation faces a pivotal test: balancing legitimate concerns about immigration enforcement with the imperative to uphold the dignity and safety of all people living within its borders.
