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Xenophobic Surge in South Africa Prompts Mass Repatriations and Presidential Pledge

Repatriations risk regional diplomatic fallout, increasing pressure on South Africa's government.

Maisons de migrants photographiées le 4 juin 2026, détruites après des manifestations antimigrants à KwaNonqaba, Mossel Bay (Afrique du Sud)
Une marche de protestation contre les migrants sans papiers à Springs, le 8 juin 2026 en Afrique du Sud
Des ressortissants ghanéens évacués d'Afrique du Sud après des attaques xénophobes arrivent à l'aéroport international d'Accra, le 27 mai 2026 au Ghana
Des immigrés, pour la plupart originaires du Malawi, réfugiés dans une salle communautaire à Kleinmond, à une centaine de kilomètres du Cap, le 2 juin 2026

Overview

  • President Cyril Ramaphosa pledged tougher border controls and to act against groups that fuel violence in a national address on June 7.
  • Dozens of anti-immigrant protesters marched in Kwa-Thema on June 8 while similar rallies were reported in the Western Cape and Limpopo.
  • More than 600 Ghanaians were allowed to leave over a recent weekend, bringing the reported total people who fled about 995 as governments charter flights and buses to repatriate citizens.
  • Self-styled militias including Operation Dudula have ordered undocumented foreigners to quit by June 30, and police reports link the wave to at least two Mozambican deaths.
  • High unemployment above 30%, roughly three million foreign residents, and weak enforcement against vigilante groups are intensifying political pressure ahead of local elections and risking diplomatic strains with other African states.