Xenophobic Violence in South Africa Prompts Mass Repatriations

Xenophobic violence has surged across South Africa, particularly in the Western Cape and Gauteng provinces, as mobs target migrants from Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, and Bangladesh. The unrest intensified over a recent weekend in Mossel Bay, where 55 shacks were torched. The Government of Mozambique reports five of its citizens were killed in Mossel Bay, though the South African Police Service maintains the death toll is two.

Cyril Ramaphosa condemned the violence while addressing Parliament on June 2, though he noted the necessity of addressing migration challenges. The instability is driven by groups such as Operation Dudula and the March and March movement, led by radio presenter Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma. These groups established a June 30 deadline for undocumented foreigners to leave the country, leveraging high unemployment and poverty to scapegoat migrants.

In the Western Cape, hundreds of foreign nationals have fled to community halls and mosques in towns like Kleinmond, Gansbaai, and Stanford to escape door-to-door attacks. Meanwhile, intimidation has escalated in Johannesburg and Soweto, targeting street vendors and spaza shop owners.

International responses have been swift, with the Government of Ghana repatriating 300 citizens and the Government of Nigeria announcing emergency flights. Mozambique reports hundreds of citizens returning home, while Kenya, Lesotho, and Zimbabwe have advised their nationals to exercise caution. The South African government faces international criticism for labeling the attacks as general crimes rather than xenophobia.