Xenophobia Tensions Flare as South African Protesters Declare “Government Is Doing Nothing”
Johannesburg, June 2026 – Anti-migrant protests intensified this week after marchers in Kwa-Thema chanted “I hate foreigners, government is doing nothing,” sparking nationwide outrage and fresh concerns over xenophobic violence.
The demonstrations come amid weeks of unrest targeting undocumented foreign nationals. Homes have been burned, shops looted, and thousands displaced in cities including Durban and Johannesburg. Nigeria has begun repatriating citizens, while Malawi launched a fundraiser to bring 10,000 nationals home.
Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola condemned the violence, stating that groups demanding foreigners leave by June 30 “do not represent the position of the South African government”. He warned that “no grievance gives any individual the authority to demand identity documents” or evict people from homes.
President Cyril Ramaphosa’s administration has outlined a five-point response: law enforcement crackdowns, dedicated immigration courts, workplace inspections, border security, and tackling corruption. Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi said deportations have increased as the state shifts to “formal statutory crackdowns”.
The WHO’s Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus called recent attacks a “tragic betrayal” of South Africa’s history, citing reports of Ethiopian and Mozambican deaths. Lamola clarified that some deaths were linked to organized crime rather than xenophobia and that investigations are ongoing.
Analysts and labor groups warn that scapegoating migrants ignores root causes. “Migrants are not the source of any of South Africa’s challenges,” said Wits University’s Loren Landau. Trade union federation Nedlac added that “removing foreign nationals will not reopen factories or create sustainable jobs”.
The Inter-Ministerial Committee also flagged “fake videos and manipulated images flooding digital platforms” that are being used to incite violence.
With unemployment above 30%, officials acknowledge irregular migration is a challenge but stress it “must be managed humanely and within the framework of the law”.
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