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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Conflict & Security

South Africa vows firm response to anti-migrant violence

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News From a news agency Context piece
  • South African President Cyril Ramaphosa vowed to crush attempts to destabilize the nation during planned anti-immigrant marches.
  • Citizen-led groups have set a deadline for undocumented foreigners to leave, sparking fears of xenophobic violence.
  • The country faces a humanitarian crisis as thousands of foreigners await transport home amid competition for scarce jobs.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has vowed a firm response to planned anti-immigrant marches, warning against any attempts to destabilize the nation. Citizen groups have set a deadline for undocumented foreigners to leave the country by Tuesday, June 30, raising fears of a resurgence in xenophobic violence.

Ramaphosa stated that security forces are prepared and "will not tolerate any attempts to destabilize the country by anyone." He assured that transgressors would "definitely meet the might of the law." Police have announced heightened security measures for June 30, and government officials are working to ensure calm, including engaging with the influential Zulu Royal House.

We will not tolerate any attempts to destabilise the country by anyone, whether marching or otherwise. Our security forces are ready, and those who transgress the measures that we are putting in place will definitely meet the might of the law.

— Cyril RamaphosaSouth African President Cyril Ramaphosa's vow to crush attempts to destabilize the nation during planned anti-immigrant marches.

The country has experienced weeks of unrest targeting foreigners, with at least three deaths reported according to official sources, and Mozambican authorities reporting five deaths among their nationals. This has led to thousands of foreigners from countries like Ghana, Malawi, Mozambique, and Nigeria voluntarily repatriating. Makeshift camps have emerged in Durban and Johannesburg, prompting aid groups to warn of a deepening humanitarian crisis.

South Africa, one of Africa's largest economies, has a high unemployment rate of around 32 percent. Competition for jobs fuels resentment, with some South Africans blaming migrants for poverty and crime. While Ramaphosa and labor unions argue migrants are scapegoats, some politicians reportedly use the issue for populist gain ahead of local elections. Past xenophobic violence has been deadly, including riots in 2008 that killed 62 people and 2019 unrest that left at least 12 dead.

We are taking measures to ensure that the 30th becomes a normal day where people will be able to work, to go about their business.

— Cyril RamaphosaSouth African President Cyril Ramaphosa's statement on ensuring normalcy during the planned anti-immigrant marches.
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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