Armed protesters in South Africa have been targeting immigrants, beating and robbing them, forcing thousands to flee. In Thembelihle, a settlement south of Johannesburg, Malawians who lived peacefully for years have been attacked. On 29 June, Eibraheem Hussein, a Malawian who has lived in South Africa since 2000, was beaten and robbed by men who broke into his home. On 16 July, a gang robbed at least four Malawian households, telling them to go home in Zulu.
Widespread displacement and violence
Since March, more than 160,000 people from Mozambique, Nigeria, Zimbabwe and other countries have left South Africa, according to an AFP tally of official figures. At least 54,000 were deported, and at least four people have been killed. South Africa's foreign-born population almost trebled to 2.4 million between 1996 and 2022, now 3.9% of the 62 million population.
Anti-immigration protests peaked on 30 June, an unofficial deadline set by campaign groups for illegal immigrants to leave. But attacks have continued. Moosa Addi Kunje, another Malawian, was beaten and robbed of his fridge, TV and phone on the night of 16 July. Aisha Muhammed said robbers took 4,000 rand she had saved to return to Malawi, telling her: 'You are foreigners. You want to go, you must go.'
Humanitarian concerns and government response
Last week, thousands of Malawians slept outside their consulate in Johannesburg as temperatures dropped below 10°C. Médecins Sans Frontières set up a pop-up clinic. Justice Minister Mmamoloho Kubayi said there was no humanitarian crisis, and the government is only obliged to provide emergency care for illegal immigrants. However, Sasha Stevenson of Section27 said the law guarantees primary healthcare regardless of immigration status.
Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, leader of March and March, said demonstrations would continue every Thursday until all illegal immigrants leave. Critics accuse the groups of deflecting blame from the government. On 16 July, about 50 people marched in Alexandra, carrying sticks and clubs, breaking doors as police stood by. Both immigrants and South Africans were affected. Police spokesperson Brenda Muridili said door-to-door identification demands are illegal, but declined to comment on specific incidents.
