Protests in South Africa demand that undocumented migrants leave by 30 June

In Durban’s informal settlements and across the country, a wave of anti‑migrant protests have escalated to the point where groups threatened residents, saying the last day for undocumented migrants to leave is 30 June. The protests, organised by factions such as March and March and ActionSA, have increasingly turned violent.

Intimidation on the streets
One resident, 36‑year‑old Esnat Joseph, recounted an encounter where men holding machetes and whips entered her home, demanding she leave and threatening her husband with a severe injury. "The people came to my house and told me: ‘You must leave….’ There were ten and they were carrying weapons," she said.

Similar accounts came from other migrants, many of whom do not have legal documents after losing passports or other paperwork. The groups have grown to a few thousand, especially in a field near Durban that has become a gathering point for about 7,000 refugees primarily from Malawi, Zimbabwe, and other neighbour states.

Government response
President Cyril Ramaphosa has warned that scapegoating foreigners does not solve South Africa’s economic and social problems. He announced Operation New Broom, an action plan that includes stricter enforcement of the Immigration Act, a labour‑rights crackdown on employers who hire undocumented workers, and the arrest of 40,000 alleged illegal migrants this year. The president also criticised public attacks that demand proof of nationality and promised to protect public safety without persecution.

Repatriation efforts
Governments of Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, and Zimbabwe are organising bus and air shipments. Nearly 3,500 foreigners have opted for repatriation in recent weeks. In Durban, buzzes from the field erupted with chants in Zulu: “Siyahamba” – we are leaving. The narrowing deadline raises fears of a sudden surge in violence reminiscent of the 2008 riots and earlier xenophobic attacks in 2015, 2016, and 2019.

Social‑media pressure
Videos of migrants being harassed or asked for nationality have spread online, prompting the government to issue public warnings and for other countries, such as Ghana, to summon South Africa’s ambassador to demand better protections. Social media also fuels misinformation that fuels fear about migrants.

Community impact
Across the country, locals feel the strain: schools are full, hospitals are overcrowded, and the drive for jobs is intense. Migrants who do have legal documents report intimidation outside government offices. Authorities say they are working to protect migrants and prevent excessive violence, yet people fear being left without a safe home.

The debate remains: regulators seeking to tighten immigration law while civil‑rights advocates argue that fears of xenophobic violence can result in human‑rights abuses. As the June 30 deadline approaches, South Africa watches for a balance between security and dignity for all residents.

— Reported by BBC Africa, Durban 09 June 2026, re‑printed by neutralecho.com.