As of May 2026, South Africa is experiencing a significant resurgence of xenophobic violence targeting African migrants. Since mid-April 2026, organized anti-migrant groups have held protests and launched attacks in major hubs like Pretoria, Johannesburg, Durban, and Cape Town.
Current Situation (April–May 2026)
- Violence and Displacement: Mobs armed with clubs and spears have attacked foreign nationals, resulting in looting, property destruction, and injuries. At least two Nigerian nationals were killed during recent confrontations.
- Targeted Groups: The attacks primarily target migrants from Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Somalia.
- Vigilante Action: Groups like Operation Dudula and March and March have been conducting “inspections” of foreign-owned businesses and demanding identity papers from individuals.
- Diplomatic Fallout: Ghana, Nigeria, and Zimbabwe have formally condemned the violence. Nigeria has initiated a voluntary repatriation program, with over 130 citizens already registered to leave.
Primary Drivers
- Economic Scapegoating: With unemployment rates exceeding 30%, many locals blame foreign nationals for taking jobs and straining public services like healthcare and schools.
- Anti-Migrant Rhetoric: Populist movements and some public figures have used inflammatory language to link migrants to high crime rates and drug trafficking, further fueling public hostility.
- Resource Competition: In townships and informal settlements, competition for low-skilled work and small-scale retail space often escalates into violence.
Historical Context
Xenophobia has been a recurring crisis since South Africa’s first democratic elections in 1994:
- 2008: The deadliest outbreak killed at least 67 people and displaced 100,000.
- 2015 & 2019: Subsequent waves led to several deaths and the destruction of hundreds of foreign-owned businesses in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal.
- Total Toll: Research indicates that between 1994 and March 2024, such attacks have caused over 669 deaths and the looting of more than 5,300 shops.
Government Response
President Cyril Ramaphosa has condemned the “barbaric” acts and reminded citizens of the support African nations provided during the struggle against apartheid. The South African Police Service (SAPS) has promised a crackdown on those inciting violence, while foreign missions have urged their nationals to keep a low profile and avoid protest areas.
Members of civil society groups and human rights organisations hold placards as they take part in a march calling for stronger government action against illegal immigration in Pretoria, South Africa on April 28, 2026.
African migrants warned to close shops during South Africa anti-migrant march
African migrants in the South African capital, Pretoria, were urged to exercise “heightened vigilance” during an anti-illegal immigration march, amid fears of xenophobic attacks. Ghana’s high commission advised its nationals to close businesses and keep a “low profile”, while the head of the Nigerian Union of South Africa told its members to remain indoors. Another march is due on Wednesday in Johannesburg. Anti-migrant sentiment has gained political currency in recent years with some believing foreigners are taking jobs and unfairly benefiting from public services.
But the president said citizens should not allow their concerns to “breed prejudices and hatred towards our fellow Africans”.
Condemning recent attacks on foreigners, President Cyril Ramaphosa used his Freedom Day address on Monday – marking the country’s first democratic elections in 1994 – to also remind his country of their debt to other nations on the continent in supporting their struggle against the racist system of apartheid. On Tuesday, hundreds took to the streets of Pretoria in a protest organised by March and March, heading towards the Union Buildings, the official seat of the government. Some wore T-shirts with slogans, while others chanted and held handmade signs. One demonstrator told the BBC that the “influx of illegal immigrants” was why he was there, a matter he says politicians are not doing anything about.
“We are grateful that we now have groups like this that have come up to aid the voice of what we have always been preaching about – illegal immigration is a big problem to our society.” Previous protests linked to immigration have sometimes escalated into violence, prompting calls for restraint and protection of vulnerable communities.
South Africa is home to about 2.4 million migrants, just less than 4% of the population, according to official figures. Most come from neighbouring countries such as Lesotho, Zimbabwe and Mozambique, which have a history of providing migrant labour to their wealthy neighbour. Xenophobia has long been an issue in South Africa which has been accompanied by occasional outbursts of deadly violence
Ghana’s diplomatic mission told Ghanaians in the country to “place the highest priority on personal safety… [and] take precautionary measures” during the protests. The advisory on Tuesday “strongly encouraged” shop owners to close businesses, avoid areas where demonstrations are taking place, and not to take part in public gatherings that could “escalate into confrontation”. Similarly, chairman of the Nigerian Union in South Africa, Olaniyi Abodedele, told members of his community to “close their shops… to be indoors and not go outside”.
Some protesters chanted and stopped for dances as they moved through the streets
A distance away from the march, the BBC spoke to some Nigerians in Pretoria. One man, who had to close his shop, said he was not happy. “It is not okay because we are blacks, we are brothers… everybody comes here just to survive”. A security guard, who was unable to go to work because of the protest, told the BBC “it’s not what we expected as fellow Africans”. “It’s just making us scared – imagine if we’re scared in our own African continent – what if we go to Europe?” he asked. Speaking about xenophobia in South Africa, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned what he called “criminal acts perpetrated by individuals inciting violence and exploiting socio-economic conditions”.
In remarks delivered by his spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric on Monday, he reminded South Africans of how their struggle against apartheid was “sustained through international and African solidarity”. The UN chief said he was concerned by reports of “xenophobic attacks and acts of harassment and intimidation”, adding: “Violence, vigilantism and all forms of incitement to hatred have no place in an inclusive, democratic society.” For more than a decade, the xenophobia directed at migrants has remained a political issue, especially as the country has one of the world’s highest unemployment rates at around 33%. In recent years, the rise of ant-migrant groups such as March and March and Operation Dudula, have gained notoriety for their demands that foreign nationals be removed from the country.
Professor Atanga Desmond Funwie
President & CEO
Kesmonds Group of Companies
Kesmonds International University
Email: atanga@kesmonds.edu.cm
