Why are anti-migrant attacks increasing in South Africa?

Anti-immigration protests and vigilante-style actions in South Africa are targeting foreign nationals, including Zimbabweans. Human Rights Watch warns of a new wave of xenophobic attacks as groups advocating stricter enforcement against undocumented migration intensify demonstrations in cities such as Johannesburg, Pretoria, and Durban. Reports describe intimidation, threats, harassment, unlawful evictions, workplace discrimination, police extortion, and denial of access to healthcare and other basic services. Common harms include verbal abuse, confiscation of goods, and physical assaults. Social media messages call for foreign nationals to leave by June 30, while many incidents go unreported due to fear of retaliation, arrest, or deportation. Poverty, inequality, and unemployment contribute to growing support for anti-immigration movements, and political parties increasingly frame migrants as competitors for jobs and public services.

"Human Rights Watch has warned of a new wave of xenophobic attacks in South Africa as anti-immigration groups intensify protests and vigilante-style actions targeting foreign nationals, including Zimbabweans. The warning came in a report released on Tuesday amid rising protests in South African cities, including Johannesburg, Pretoria and Durban. Groups such as March and March, and Operation Dudula, two South African anti-immigration movements advocating stricter enforcement against undocumented migration, have led protests in several cities."

"We continue to receive reports through our community networks of intimidation, threats, harassment, unlawful evictions, workplace discrimination, police extortion, and denial of access to healthcare and other basic services affecting migrants and refugees, said Mike Ndlovu, media coordinator for Kopanang Africa Against Xenophobia (KAAX). The most common forms of harm include verbal abuse, evictions, discrimination at clinics and workplaces, confiscation of goods and in some cases physical assaults, Ndlovu told Al Jazeera."

"Messages and videos circulating on social media show anti-immigration activists calling for foreign nationals to leave South Africa by June 30. However, many incidents are believed to go unreported due to fear of retaliation, arrest or deportation. In some townships and urban areas affected by poverty, inequality and unemployment, anti-immigration movements appear to be gaining support."

"Political parties such as the Patriotic Alliance, ActionSA, and uMkhonto we Sizwe increasingly frame migrants as competitors for jobs and public services. Mpho Makhubela, a member of the Consortium for Refugees and Migrants in South Africa (CoRMSA) and an activist in KAAX, said vigilante groups are growing in response to wider social frustration."

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