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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Crime & Justice

How South Africa’s anti-migrant unrest sparks small-town suspicion, fear

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News From a news agency Context piece
  • Anti-migrant violence has erupted in Jeffreys Bay, South Africa, with foreign-owned shops targeted and several people wounded.
  • The unrest, part of a nationwide xenophobic movement, saw 23 convenience stores looted and residents demanding the expulsion of undocumented foreigners.
  • Migrants, primarily from Malawi and Zimbabwe, are fleeing the violence, with over 150,000 having left the country, while some locals express fear and suspicion.

Jeffreys Bay, a renowned surfing destination, has become the latest battleground in South Africa's escalating anti-migrant violence. Armored vehicles and soldiers were deployed to the normally tranquil seaside town following an explosion of xenophobic unrest that left three people wounded. The violence saw 23 small convenience stores, often run by foreign shopkeepers, looted as part of a campaign accusing migrants of taking local jobs.

I could have died.

— Zelalem TesfayeRecounting his experience during the looting of his shop.

Zelalem Tesfaye, a 28-year-old Ethiopian shop owner, recounted his narrow escape through a back window as looters ransacked his store. The unrest reportedly began after locals went door-to-door demanding the expulsion of undocumented foreign nationals. While some alleged that gunfire originated from men defending migrant-owned shops, the shop owners denied this, and police are investigating.

It could have been a bloodbath.

— Alfred JongileDescribing the tense situation and the role of the police during the anti-migrant unrest.

This violence is part of a broader xenophobic movement sweeping across South Africa. Protests against undocumented migrants have persisted, even after fringe groups issued an unofficial deadline for them to leave by June 30. Since late May, at least four foreign nationals have been killed, though some African nations report higher figures. An AFP tally indicates over 150,000 migrants, mostly Malawians and Zimbabweans, have departed the country, many through government-organized repatriation programs.

People were chased from the beach to the police station by other people with sticks.

— Alfred JongileDetailing the violence and fear experienced by migrants during the unrest.

Pastor Alfred Jongile of Ocean View described the situation as potentially a "bloodbath," criticizing the police for their perceived inaction as tensions mounted. He opened his church to migrants fleeing the violence, sheltering dozens. Benson Jere, a 36-year-old Zimbabwean working in fiber installation, lost all his belongings when three individuals demanded money from him, threatening to alert others if he refused. He paid them 60 rand (about $3.65) and was told to go to the beach, only to find his rented shack empty upon his return.

Three people came to catch me at home. They told me that if I gave them money, they would tell the others they hadn’t seen me.

— Benson JereDescribing an extortion attempt during the anti-migrant violence.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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