South Africa's cities are bracing for the worst as anti-immigration protests planned by vigilant groups threaten to unleash a wave of violence. Authorities have dramatically boosted security in major towns and cities, with police patrolling central business districts, including Johannesburg, where concerns over safety are particularly acute. Local media reports also confirm the presence of South African National Defence Force vehicles, underscoring the government's determination to prevent widespread unrest.
The demonstrations, organised by groups such as 'March and March', are focused on undocumented foreign nationals, who have been given an unofficial deadline of June 30 to leave the country. Organisers claim their protests will be peaceful and targeted solely at those without proper documentation, yet there have already been reports of harassment targeting foreigners, including some with valid visas.
South African authorities are acutely aware of the risks. The devastating anti-migrant riots in 2008 left 62 people dead and prompted widespread looting. More recently, in July 2021, a wave of unrest following former president Jacob Zuma's jailing resulted in over 350 fatalities. Since the current deadline was announced, groups of men have been intimidating and, in some cases, assaulting migrants in cities like Johannesburg and Durban, with at least five Mozambican nationals confirmed killed.
Official statistics suggest that foreign-born migrants make up around 4% of South Africa's population – a stark contrast to the claims made by protest organisers that this number is as high as 15-20 million. Many of these migrants are employed in the informal sector, having sought work in one of Africa’s largest economies due to economic hardship back home. Despite a narrative often linked to crime, statistics indicate that only a small fraction of criminal offences are committed by foreign nationals. In a nation grappling with high unemployment and significant wealth inequality, African migrants are frequently scapegoated.
The South African government has faced criticism for its response to the escalating violence, with President Cyril Ramaphosa condemning all forms of intolerance. Several African governments have taken proactive steps to repatriate their citizens, including Nigeria, Ghana, Malawi, and Uganda, who have transported hundreds back home while others await processing.
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office advises British nationals travelling to South Africa to exercise caution, monitor local news, and follow the advice of the local authorities. The situation is a stark reminder of the impact of global events on the UK's own expatriate community in South Africa, which numbers around 120,000 people.
In light of these developments, British business leaders are closely watching how this crisis unfolds, particularly given that many major companies rely heavily on migrant workers in key sectors such as mining and agriculture. The UK government has expressed concern over the rising tensions, and diplomats are working behind the scenes to urge South African authorities to take decisive action to protect foreign nationals.