South Africa: Anti-immigrant campaign escalates with ultimatum

South Africa, a nation that prides itself on its multiethnic society, is currently witnessing one of the most brutal campaigns against migrants in recent months. The organization March and March leads this movement, with its followers acting as vigilantes. They attack Zimbabwean shopkeepers, Nigerian nannies, Mozambican taxi drivers, and Congolese street vendors.

These actions include looting businesses, denying access to hospitals, evicting people from homes, and even "arresting" migrants on the streets, despite lacking police authority. The organization claims its actions are directed only at "illegals," but violence and harassment affect all migrants, especially those from other African countries. March and March propagates conspiracy theories about a "foreign invasion," spreads fake news about migrants being rapists and drug dealers, and directs anger at a dysfunctional state, focusing solely on illegal immigration.

Several African nations, including Nigeria, Ghana, and Malawi, have repatriated hundreds of their citizens and lodged diplomatic protests against South Africa's xenophobic campaigns. The South African government has rejected these protests. March and March, however, views this as a success and has escalated tensions by issuing an ultimatum: all illegal immigrants must leave South Africa by June 30, or the organization threatens to "paralyze" the entire country.

Migration has historically been a significant aspect of the African continent. Following the end of apartheid, South Africa became a popular destination due to its political freedom, progressive constitution, and the promise of social and economic justice. Migrant workers and the politically persecuted have arrived from neighboring Zimbabwe, war refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Somalia, and job seekers from Malawi, Nigeria, and Ghana.