South Africa is on high alert ahead of planned nationwide anti-illegal immigration marches, as citizen-led groups have demanded that undocumented foreign nationals leave the country by Tuesday.
The demonstrations follow weeks of growing tensions that have already claimed at least four lives and prompted thousands of migrants from across Africa to flee their communities or seek refuge in temporary shelters for fear of violence.
The protests have been organised by a coalition of small political parties and community-based vigilante groups, some led by individuals dressed in traditional Zulu attire and carrying sticks and shields. The groups argue that undocumented migrants contribute to rising crime and unemployment, placing additional pressure on already strained public resources in communities battling poverty, joblessness and inadequate policing.
Political analyst Sandile Swana believes the protests are being driven by political opportunism.
"The main ingredient is right-wing political opportunism. We are seeing a new form of black-on-black violence diverting attention from the true culprits of the economic crisis," Swana told AFP.
Anti-immigration demonstrations first gained momentum late last year when undocumented foreign nationals were prevented from accessing public healthcare facilities. The campaign has since escalated, with vigilante groups issuing a June 30 deadline for undocumented migrants to leave the country.
Analysts say the protests have been fuelled by mounting public frustration over South Africa's unemployment rate, which remains close to 33%, alongside high crime levels and increasing pressure on public services. They warn that migrants have become convenient scapegoats as political parties seek to capitalise on public sentiment ahead of the country's municipal elections in November.
According to Statistics South Africa, the country is home to approximately three million immigrants, representing about 5.1% of the population. More than 63% originate from neighbouring Southern African countries, many of which continue to experience economic hardship and political instability.
Police are investigating the deaths of two Mozambican nationals and one Malawian linked to the recent unrest. There have also been reports of South Africans demanding that foreign nationals produce identification documents or ordering them to leave their homes and workplaces.
Some migrants returning to their home countries have reportedly said they were encouraged to leave by employers and landlords who feared penalties from authorities or attacks by vigilante groups.
The escalating violence and intimidation have prompted several African governments, including those of Kenya, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, to facilitate voluntary repatriation programmes for their citizens.
The Border Management Authority (BMA) says at least 988 Ghanaians and around 600 Nigerians departed South Africa by air this month. More than 15,000 people have also crossed land borders into Zimbabwe, Malawi and Mozambique during the same period.
According to the BMA, approximately 25,000 people have been repatriated in recent weeks. The authority said many of those processed were found to be in the country illegally, with some having overstayed their visas.
Meanwhile, thousands of foreign nationals remain in temporary shelters in Durban and reception centres in Johannesburg and Cape Town while awaiting assistance to return to their countries of origin.
Ahead of Tuesday's planned demonstrations, government officials reiterated that measures to combat illegal immigration have been strengthened, including enhanced border security and compliance inspections. Authorities have also appealed for calm and urged communities to refrain from violence.
South Africa has experienced several waves of xenophobic violence over the past two decades. In 2008, anti-immigrant attacks left 62 people dead and displaced thousands. Further outbreaks occurred in 2015, 2016 and 2019, when violence targeting foreign-owned businesses around Johannesburg claimed at least 12 lives, including 10 South Africans.
While xenophobic attacks are not new to the country, the current wave of tensions marks the first time multiple African governments have simultaneously coordinated large-scale voluntary repatriation efforts for thousands of their nationals.