Tensions escalated in Alexandra township, north of Johannesburg, as protesters forced their way into homes in search of suspected undocumented immigran
Anti-immigration South Africa on Thursday intensified their campaign against undocumented migrants by conducting door-to-door raids in Johannesburg, forcibly removing foreign nationals from their homes and handing them over to police, in a move that has heightened fear among migrant communities and strained relations with neighbouring countries.
In Alexandra township, north of Johannesburg, protesters broke down doors and searched homes where they believed undocumented immigrants were living. Those they apprehended were escorted to waiting police vans, including a woman and her young child from Malawi.
Among those detained was Zimbabwean national Total Mhlanga, who insisted he was legally residing in South Africa.
“I am a ZEP holder,” Mhlanga said, referring to the Zimbabwean Exemption Permit, which allows tens of thousands of Zimbabweans to live and work legally in South Africa.
In Soweto, another group of anti-immigration protesters marched through the township carrying sticks and flags before embarking on similar searches for undocumented migrants. Protest organisers had circulated flyers advertising a “peaceful march” followed by a “door-to-door” operation. A separate demonstration also took place in the coastal city of Durban.
The latest actions come amid a surge in anti-immigrant sentiment across South Africa, where high unemployment has fuelled growing hostility toward foreign nationals. The protests follow an unofficial June 30 deadline issued by anti-immigration groups demanding that undocumented migrants leave the country.
The campaign is being spearheaded by former radio presenter Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, leader of the advocacy group March and March. She announced after the June 30 demonstrations that protests would continue every Thursday until the group’s demands were met.
March and March has blamed undocumented immigrants for many of South Africa’s economic challenges and is calling for tighter border controls, mass deportations, and priority access to public services such as schools and healthcare for South African citizens.
“We are walking around doing door-to-door removing foreigners,” community leader Bongani Msomi said during Thursday’s march in Alexandra.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has repeatedly cautioned against blaming immigrants for the country’s deep-rooted socio-economic problems. His administration has also stressed that private citizens have no legal authority to enforce immigration laws.
In response to the protests, police have increased operations targeting undocumented migrants and deployed officers to monitor demonstrations and maintain public order. Johannesburg police had not commented on Thursday’s incidents or the conduct of officers present during the raids.
The unrest has also triggered a significant repatriation effort. Malawi’s government said more than 38,000 of its citizens have returned from South Africa in recent weeks over safety concerns, while more than 60,000 Zimbabweans have also returned home amid growing fears of anti-immigrant violence.
