‘They will attack me if I stay’: immigrants in South Africa flee for safety amid violence and anti-foreigner protests

Key Points:

• South Africa is experiencing widespread anti-immigration protests, with at least four people killed and tens of thousands fleeing amid fears of escalating violence following a 30 June deadline for undocumented immigrants to leave.
• In Durban and Pietermaritzburg, protesters in traditional attire marched demanding foreigners leave, while many immigrants, including those with legal documentation, have been evicted or threatened, leading to makeshift camps and mass repatriations organized by African governments.
• Economic insecurity, high unemployment, and weak governance are cited as underlying causes of xenophobia, with some South Africans blaming immigrants for job losses and crime, despite the country hosting about 2.4 million foreigners.
• The government has intensified crackdowns on undocumented migrants, arresting over 50,000 since January, and President Ramaphosa has warned against vigilantism, but critics argue authorities are failing to protect immigrants and hold perpetrators accountable.
• Many immigrants live in fear of worsening violence after the deadline, with some forced to leave family behind and others going into hiding, expressing regret and despair over their situation in South Africa.