South African anti-migrant protesters march after Ramaphosa warns vigilantes

Dozens of protesters marched through Kwa-Thema, a township southeast of Johannesburg, on Monday, demanding tougher government measures against illegal immigration. The demonstration followed a national address by President Cyril Ramaphosa, who pledged to take action against groups accused of fueling xenophobic violence and exploiting public concerns.

Chanting and singing, the protesters moved through the township, with some carrying sticks, as shown in footage aired by SABC. Their calls for stricter action against illegal immigration come amid rising tensions in South Africa, a nation grappling with over 30% unemployment. The country is home to more than three million foreign nationals, constituting over five percent of its population.

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We will and must not allow groups to use the legitimate concerns of South Africans to destabilize our country through inciting lawlessness and violence.

President Ramaphosa acknowledged the public's concerns regarding illegal immigration but firmly stated that the authorities would not tolerate vigilantism. "We will and must not allow groups to use the legitimate concerns of South Africans to destabilize our country through inciting lawlessness and violence," he declared Sunday night. He added that action would be taken against those exploiting these concerns for political, personal, or criminal agendas.

Organizers of the anti-migrant protests welcomed Ramaphosa's attention to the issue but vowed to continue their campaign. South Africa has a history of recurring anti-migrant violence, with vigilante groups issuing ultimatums for undocumented foreigners to leave by June 30. The country has witnessed significant xenophobic violence in 2008, 2015, 2016, and 2019, resulting in numerous deaths. In the latest wave of unrest, at least two Mozambican citizens have been killed. Hundreds of foreign nationals have sought refuge, and several countries, including Ghana, Malawi, Mozambique, and Nigeria, are arranging repatriation for their citizens.

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We will act against forces who are exploiting the concerns of our people about illegal immigration to further their own political, personal or criminal agendas.