South Africa: Anti-Immigrant Ultimatum Sparks Fear, Government Rejects Demands

South Africa faces rising tensions as anti-immigrant groups issued an ultimatum demanding the expulsion of foreigners. The deadline has heightened fear among migrants, with some seeking to hide or flee the country. President Cyril Ramaphosa has publicly rejected the ultimatum, calling it baseless and warning against self-defense or improvised population checks. He pledged that the state would maintain public order, deploying police, helicopters, and armored vehicles in Johannesburg as a show of force.

Despite the president's strong stance and the visible police deployment, uncertainty remains about whether these measures will deter xenophobic violence. Migrants, both documented and undocumented, live in fear, recalling past instances where the state's promises to crack down on anti-immigrant sentiment were not fully realized. The article highlights a history of xenophobic violence, noting that between 300 and 400 migrants have been killed over the past two decades, with very few legal cases pursued.

The publication questions the state's effectiveness, asking if its perceived impotence stems from weakness or complicity. It urges President Ramaphosa to decisively end the cycle of violence, warning that he will be held responsible if he fails to protect migrants. The piece criticizes the notion of movements issuing ultimatums to the state and questions who is truly in charge in South Africa, suggesting the government appears overwhelmed by escalating xenophobic acts. The author emphasizes the urgency, stating it's time to end this "playtime" and that such violence damages the nation's image.