Immigrants live in fear as xenophobic wave rises in South Africa

African immigrants in South Africa are living in extreme fear after a series of marches demanding that illegal immigrants leave, reviving the country’s latent xenophobia.

The advocacy group March & March, a leader in recent demonstrations, has issued an ultimatum for those living illegally in South Africa to leave by June 30, without specifying consequences for noncompliance.

Mozambique said five of its citizens were killed in “xenophobic attacks” in late May. South African police confirmed two Mozambicans and one South African died in violence in Mossel Bay on the southern coast.

About 100 people from Mozambique and Malawi have taken refuge in the Kleinmond town hall, about 60 miles southeast of Cape Town, after an angry mob demanded foreigners in an informal settlement leave. Many have expressed a desire for government help to return home. Ghana has arranged flights to bring several hundred citizens out of South Africa.

An Ethiopian businessman who has lived in South Africa since 2000 and married a local woman said: “Every day and almost everyone I meet, they are afraid, extremely afraid. The sad part is it’s not because they don’t have papers… But no legal papers protect you from violence.”

South Africa has long imported migrant labour, especially for mines. After taking power in 1994, Nelson Mandela welcomed African immigrants. Meanwhile, poverty and economic hardship in many neighboring countries, such as hyperinflation in Zimbabwe, have pushed people southward.

High unemployment and persistent inequality lead many South Africans to blame African immigrants, with anger periodically erupting into violence. In 2008, 62 people died in riots, and over 150,000 were displaced. In 2015, at least five people died.

The share of South Africans saying they would welcome all immigrants fell from a quarter in 2020 to 15% last year, according to a Human Sciences Research Council survey. The unemployment rate has risen 3.4 percentage points to 43.1% since 2020.

Sharon Ekambaram, who oversees refugee and migrant programs at Lawyers for Human Rights, said: “People are struggling to hold the government accountable, and it’s easier to blame migrants.”

South Africa’s foreign-born population nearly tripled to 2.4 million between 1996 and 2022, according to census data, accounting for 3.9% of the total population of 62 million, up from 2% in 1996.

March & March leader Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, an advocate for mass deportations, claims illegal immigration stands at “15 to about 30 million people.” She said: “South Africa is being invaded. South Africans have become refugees in their own country.”

Founded in March 2025, March & March has organized protests across South Africa. On March 30, the group led a rally in KuGompo City after locals grew angry over false reports that a Nigerian had been crowned king. Since then, marches have occurred in Durban, Johannesburg and Pretoria.

Asked about funding, Ngobese-Zuma said they receive donations from concerned South Africans and social media contributions. Another prominent figure in the marches is Ngizwe Mchunu, a radio DJ acquitted of inciting July 2021 riots.

As local elections approach in November, some small parties like ActionSA and Jacob Zuma’s uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) are seeking support by aligning with the protests.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has pledged a tougher crackdown on illegal immigration and corruption in border agencies, but stressed that only state officials may request proof of nationality. He said: “We will not and shall not allow groups to exploit the legitimate concerns of South Africans to cause instability by inciting lawlessness and violence.”

Meanwhile, African immigrants continue to face profound uncertainty. Sandy Khumalo, who has a residence permit and runs Makhumalo restaurant in Johannesburg, said: “I am worried because I don’t know what’s happening. I have been here since 2009, this is my home. I am very stressed.”