Ramaphosa Warns Against Violence Ahead of South Africa Anti-Immigration Protests
Ramaphosa said 25,000 people have been repatriated as several African governments evacuate citizens and security forces brace for unrest.
- On Tuesday, June 30, 2026, President Cyril Ramaphosa warned that vigilantism and intimidation will not be tolerated during nationwide anti-immigrant protests, urging citizens to pursue grievances peacefully and within the constitution.
- Citizen-Led groups established an unofficial June 30 deadline for undocumented foreigners to exit, with organizations like March and March pushing for mass action against illegal immigration and prompting thousands to flee.
- The National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure reported more than 25,000 foreign nationals have been repatriated in recent weeks, while thousands await departure in temporary camps due to safety fears.
- Western Cape Premier Alan Winde appealed for calm while officials deployed multi-disciplinary security teams to maintain order, declaring June 30 a normal working day despite heightened security concerns across the country.
- These protests emerge against a backdrop of unemployment above 30%, as labour analyst Dale McKinley told AFP that scapegoating migrants diverts attention from "governance, corruption, and mismanagement" driving the economic crisis.
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67 Articles
South Africa Detains 40,000 Illegal Migrants as Protests Grow
South African authorities have detained more than 40,000 illegal immigrants since the start of 2026, the government said on Sunday, as President Cyril Ramaphosa pledged to strengthen border security amid growing public anger over illegal migration. Speaking on South African state television, Ramaphosa said his government was working on reforms to tighten border controls, while stressing that many foreign nationals live and work in the country le…
Protesters wrapped in flags and wielding wooden sticks participated in anti-immigrant marches in various parts of South Africa on Tuesday. Although most of the protests were peaceful, there were isolated episodes of violence under heavy police presence, while shops remained closed and foreign workers stayed home. Thousands of foreigners from other African countries had already left South Africa before the "deadline" set by the protesters for all…
FOUR things to know about South Africa's anti-migrant protests
South Africa faces nationwide anti-immigrant marches after hardline citizen-led groups ordered undocumented foreigners to leave the country by Tuesday. The unrest has already killed at least four people, with thousands of African migrants fleeing home or huddling in makeshift camps for fear of attack. Here are four things to know about the protests. Who is behind them? Protests have been mobilised by a loose coalition of minor political parties …
South Africa repatriations top 25,000 ahead of anti-immigrant ultimatum
South Africa's security forces said Monday that more than 25,000 people have been repatriated in recent weeks ahead of planned anti-immigrant protests, with many others still awaiting departure.
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