In June 2026, thousands of people marched through South Africa's main cities demanding that all undocumented migrants leave the country, with some protesters going door-to-door evicting suspected foreign nationals. The protests, led by groups such as March and March and Operation Dudula, have prompted a heavy police and military presence and led to thousands of migrants fleeing to makeshift camps or being repatriated.
The protests are driven by a grassroots campaign that set a 30 June deadline for undocumented migrants to leave. Groups like March and March, led by former radio presenter Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, and Operation Dudula, which has previously tried to block illegal immigrants from accessing healthcare and schooling, are at the forefront. The Zulu activist Nkosikhona Ndabandaba, who has more than 1.5 million Facebook followers, has also led large crowds. Demonstrators have handed over memorandums to government officials, and Ngobese-Zuma has said they will protest every Thursday for the next six months to force the government to "get rid of" undocumented migrants.
“Explains the 2026 anti-immigrant protests in South Africa, their causes, and implications for the UK.”
South Africa has a long history of anti-immigrant violence, with periodic waves since 2008. The country is home to more than three million documented foreign nationals, according to official figures. Many South Africans blame immigrants for the country's economic problems, a charge President Cyril Ramaphosa has rejected, calling it scapegoating. The current unrest has left at least two dead (the Malawian government says five) and prompted countries like Nigeria and Ghana to evacuate hundreds of their citizens. Police have reported arrests for looting and intimidation, and some migrants have been attacked.
For UK readers, the situation in South Africa offers a parallel to rising anti-immigrant sentiment closer to home, such as recent riots in Belfast. It highlights the tensions that can arise when economic hardship, high immigration, and weak governance converge. The UK, like South Africa, has a diverse population and faces debates about border control and integration. The violence and mass displacement in South Africa serve as a cautionary tale about what can happen when anti-immigrant rhetoric goes unchecked.
Q: Why are anti-immigrant protests happening in South Africa? Groups like March and March and Operation Dudula claim that undocumented migrants are burdening the country's economy and services. They have set a deadline for these migrants to leave, and have organized marches to pressure the government into enforcing immigration laws. President Ramaphosa has acknowledged the need for immigration reform but warned against scapegoating.
Q: How many migrants have left South Africa because of the protests? South African police say that 25,000 people have been repatriated so far. Many foreigners have also fled spontaneously to escape violence and intimidation, with around 10,000 migrants taking refuge in a field in Durban alone, living in makeshift tents.
Q: What has the South African government done in response? Police and private security guards have been deployed in large numbers, and the military has been deployed in the Johannesburg suburb of Hillbrow, where many African migrants live. President Ramaphosa met some protest leaders to defuse tensions, and has called for peaceful demonstrations while acknowledging the need for immigration reform.
What happens next remains uncertain. The protesters have said they will continue to march every Thursday for six months, and there is widespread fear of further violence after the 30 June deadline. The government faces pressure both from anti-immigrant groups and from neighbouring countries that are evacuating their citizens. Without effective immigration reform and economic measures to address the grievances driving the protests, the situation could escalate further.