Thousands of people have fled South Africa in recent weeks ahead of a June 30 “deadline” for foreign nationals to leave the country announced by anti-immigrant groups. We spoke to Congolese refugees in KwaZulu-Natal province who were forced to leave their homes and livelihoods after anti-immigrant protests erupted in violence.
Anti-immigrant groups in South Africa have set a June 30 “deadline” for undocumented immigrants to leave the country, planning widespread demonstrations on that date and threatening a “national shutdown” if the government does not take significant action on immigration. Anti-foreigner sentiment has been on the rise in recent months, with protests in several major cities across the country.
Three people, including a Malawian man and two Mozambican nationals, were killed during recent anti-immigration protests in KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape provinces.
South African Police Services launched a special $36 million operation ahead of the new round of protests, with acting Minister of Police Firoz Cachalia saying police would not tolerate violence or lawlessness.
The government announced measures in early June to combat undocumented nationals following pressure from anti-immigrant groups, notably vowing to crack down on violations of the Immigration Act and prioritising border security. The government is also looking to update the immigration system with modern technology while working in concert with other African countries.
Faced with the threat of violence, foreigners are banding together. FRANCE 24 spoke to two refugees who were forced to flee their homes in early June following anti-immigrant protests in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. The men gathered outside the Home Affairs offices along with hundreds of other foreign nationals, where they remained on the pavement for weeks, awaiting repatriation to their countries after decades in South Africa.
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