For several months, anti-migrant movements including the March and March Movement along with allied organisations have intensified campaigns against undocumented migrants in South Africa. The March and March Movement founded by former Vuma FM presenter Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma set 30 June 2026 as a symbolic deadline for undocumented migrants to leave the country, culminating in a series of nationwide protests. The anti-migrant groups argue that undocumented migrants contribute to rising unemployment, increased crime and growing pressure on public services such as healthcare, education and housing, while benefiting from weak immigration controls.
While the protests have been described as nationwide, the most significant activity has occurred in KwaZulu-Natal, particularly Durban, where thousands of migrants have gathered while seeking assistance to return to their countries of origin. Protest-related activity has also been reported in Gauteng, including Johannesburg, Soweto and Hillbrow, as well as in parts of the Western Cape, particularly Cape Town. Incidents have included community protests, intimidation of foreign nationals, threats against migrant-owned businesses and reports of vigilante patrols demanding proof of nationality.
The violence has already resulted in deaths, displacement and arrests. On 19 June 2026, a 29-year-old was allegedly stoned to death during a protest against illegal immigrants at the Jika Joe Informal Settlement in the city of Pietermaritzburg, near Durban. The attack forced hundreds of migrants to seek shelter in churches and mosques. On 17 June 2026, clashes erupted in Durban between police and thousands of Malawian nationals awaiting repatriation, prompting police to use tear gas and stun grenades to disperse the crowd after tensions escalated. On 29 May 2026, two Mozambican men were killed in Mossel Bay, Western Cape, where more than 50 informal dwellings were set alight. The Government of Mozambique later reported that five of its citizens had died in what it described as xenophobic attacks.
The protests have had a significant humanitarian impact. Thousands of migrants have reportedly abandoned their homes, employment and businesses due to fears of violence, while many have sought assistance from their embassies or humanitarian organisations to return to their countries of origin. According to South Africa’s Border Management Authority, more than 13,000 foreign nationals including approximately 9,000 Malawians, 3,000 Zimbabweans, 900 Ghanaians and 300 Nigerians have either been voluntarily repatriated or deported in the weeks leading up to the 30 June protests.
Since 1 March 2026, the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) has recorded at least 103 incidents linked to anti-migrant sentiment, resulting in the arrest of 195 individuals in connection with anti-migrant protests.
In anticipation of possible unrest, the Government has launched a nationwide security operation, deploying additional police resources and reiterated that 30 June 2026 will be a normal working day, and warned that any acts of intimidation, violence or disruption will be met with the full force of the law.