South Africa deploys police as anti-immigrant protests prompt fears

Lead

South Africa has seen a wave of anti-immigrant protests, with activist groups setting a June 30 deadline for undocumented foreigners to leave the country. The protests have prompted police deployment in cities and have raised fears of escalation and socioeconomic damage. President Cyril Ramaphosa has rejected the groups' threats as false, insisting that the right to protest does not permit intimidation or violence.

Coverage Comparison

Al Jazeera reported that thousands of undocumented migrants are rushing to leave South Africa after anti-immigrant protests, xenophobic tension, and the June 30 deadline set by activist groups. A separate Al Jazeera report noted that thousands of foreigners have already been driven out due to anti-immigrant protests and xenophobic violence, with many South Africans hoping to secure jobs left vacant by their departure. The same outlet also covered the police deployment and the government's rejection of the groups' threats.

Deutsche Welle (DW) provided a more critical perspective, framing the situation as xenophobia with potential socioeconomic damage. It highlighted the involvement of right-wing movements and vigilante groups, and emphasized the economic role of migrants in South Africa, including foreign investors and entrepreneurs.

Key Claims

• Thousands of foreigners were driven out of South Africa due to a wave of anti-immigrant protests and xenophobic violence, as reported by Al Jazeera. Many South Africans are hoping to secure the jobs left vacant by their departure.
• A June 30 deadline was set by activist groups for undocumented foreigners to leave the country, according to multiple Al Jazeera reports. The groups have falsely claimed that undocumented immigrants will face arrest and deportation if they do not leave in time.
• Right-wing movements and vigilante groups are involved in the protests, demanding that undocumented migrants leave, as reported by Deutsche Welle. Experts link these groups to right-wing populist parties such as ActionSA, the MK Party, and groups like "March and March" and "Operation Dudula."
• Migrants play a significant economic role in South Africa, with foreign investors and entrepreneurs contributing to jobs, trade, and industry. Deutsche Welle cited examples such as Zimbabwean telecoms entrepreneur Strive Masiyiwa's Cassava Technologies partnering with Nvidia, and companies like Sonangol, Matola Gas Company, and Dangote Group.
• The forced closure of foreign-owned businesses means that South Africans are losing their jobs, and the revenue generated by these companies is being lost, as noted by Al Jazeera's reporting from Durban.
• President Cyril Ramaphosa rejected the anti-migrant groups' threats as false and stated that the right to protest does not allow people to threaten or intimidate others, or to engage in vandalism or violence. "Whatever the motivation, taking the law into one's own hands is vigilantism," he said, as quoted by Al Jazeera.
• At least two Mozambicans, an Ethiopian, and a Malawian were killed in anti-immigrant violence, as reported by Al Jazeera.
• Thousands of foreign nationals are camping outside consulates and shelters for protection, with some having been evicted or fired due to fears of fines or attacks, according to Al Jazeera.
• Several African countries have sent aircraft and buses to repatriate their fleeing nationals, as reported by Al Jazeera.

Perspectives

South African Government: President Cyril Ramaphosa rejects the anti-migrant groups' threats as false, emphasizing that the right to protest does not permit threatening, intimidating, or engaging in vigilantism.

Anti-immigrant activist groups: These groups, including right-wing movements and vigilante groups, demand that undocumented foreigners leave by June 30. They express frustration with the government's handling of undocumented immigration and blame foreigners for social service shortcomings, as described by experts and protesters.

Expert opinion: Jo Veary, co-director of the African Center for Migration & Society at the University of the Witwatersrand, links the protests to right-wing populist parties and frames them as an attempt to gain political support and votes, with foreigners scapegoated for government failures.

Migrant communities and allies: Migrants are fleeing due to fears of violence and threats, with thousands camping outside consulates. Several African countries have sent aircraft and buses to repatriate nationals. The economic contribution of migrants is highlighted as significant, with foreign investors and entrepreneurs creating jobs.