South Africa Faces Growing Tensions Over Undocumented Migration
As the June 30 deadline set by civilian anti‑immigrant groups approaches, South Africa is witnessing a rise in protests, diplomatic friction, and calls for calm from traditional leaders. The situation has prompted several African governments to begin evacuating their nationals while security officials coordinate contingency plans.
The “March and March” Ultimatum
In December 2025 the grassroots movement March and March issued a statement demanding that undocumented foreigners leave the country within six months. The ultimatum carries no legal weight, but it has galvanised sections of the public and prompted a response from neighboring states.
- Ghana reported the return of approximately 1,000 citizens through organised repatriation flights.
- Nigeria launched charter services from Johannesburg, evacuating an initial wave of 262 nationals.
- Malawi has also begun arranging voluntary returns for its nationals residing in South Africa.
These actions follow concerns that violence targeting migrants could escalate, particularly in KwaZulu‑Natal and other provinces where protests have been most visible.
Traditional Leadership Appeals for Restraint
King Misuzulu kaZwelithini, the reigning monarch of the Zulu nation, used his address at an International Yoga Day event in Durban on Sunday to urge calm. Speaking largely in isiZulu, he warned that attacks on foreign nationals damage South Africa’s image across the continent.
“People are also looking for greener pastures to feed themselves… They are here because of poverty. That doesn’t mean we have to defeat them.”
– King Misuzulu kaZwelithini, June 2026
The king added that he had personally spoken with protest leaders Ngizwe Mchunu and Nkosikhona “Phakelumthakathi” Ndabandaba to seek assurances that no bloodshed would occur.
Government and Security Preparations
While the national government has distanced itself from the March and March deadline, security agencies are intensifying preparations. Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia convened a meeting with the South African Police Service leadership at the Tshwane Academy College in Pretoria on Saturday to review operational plans.
Key points from the discussion include:
- Coordination meetings between the acting minister, deputy police ministers, the defence minister, and provincial chief ministers slated for the coming week.
- Engagement with private‑security firms to leverage their capacity as force multipliers.
- Planned visits to identified hotspots to assess readiness and reinforce policing efforts.
President Cyril Ramaphosa, campaigning ahead of the November 4 local elections, reiterated that South Africa’s concerns about irregular migration have been communicated to other African governments and that many leaders acknowledge the country’s position.
Demographic Context
According to Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), isiZulu remains the most widely spoken home language in the nation. In 2022, 24.4 % of the population identified isiZulu as their first language, up from 22.8 % in 1996. This linguistic prominence underscores the cultural weight of traditional leaders such as King Misuzulu in shaping public discourse.
Labor Union Stance
Last week the country’s four largest trade union federations—Cosatu, Saftu, Fedusa, and Nactu—issued a joint statement warning members that absences from work on June 30 to participate in protests would not be protected under labor law. The unions emphasized the importance of maintaining workplace stability while acknowledging the right to peaceful demonstration.
Outlook
With the June 30 deadline looming, a mix of diplomatic outreach, security readiness, and appeals from traditional authorities aims to curb potential violence. The effectiveness of these measures will depend on the willingness of protest organisers to heed calls for restraint and on the ability of provincial and national authorities to maintain order while protecting the rights of both citizens and migrants.
Continued monitoring by regional bodies and transparent communication from the South African government will be essential to prevent further strain on intra‑African relations and to uphold the country’s commitment to humanitarian principles.
