1,800 Zimbabweans Beg to Go Home as South Africa Deports 15,000 Before Anti-Migrant Protests
As an unofficial June 30 deadline for undocumented foreigners to leave the country approaches, South Africa is racing to deport over 15,000 Malawian nationals while more than 1,800 Zimbabweans voluntarily request repatriation, saying they feel unsafe. President Cyril Ramaphosa has warned that any violence during planned anti-migrant protests will be met with the full force of the law.
South Africa is bracing for nationwide anti-migrant protests scheduled for June 30, with the government accelerating deportations to ease tensions [183551]. More than 15,000 Malawian nationals have already been processed to leave the country, and thousands more remain in temporary camps waiting to be sent home [183551]. The deadline was set by citizen-led groups planning anti-immigration marches, which have demanded that all undocumented foreigners leave by the end of June [183551].
In the Western Cape, more than 1,800 Zimbabwean immigrants have requested voluntary repatriation, saying they feel unsafe after being displaced [185233]. “We are choosing to leave. It is better to be safe than sorry,” one displaced immigrant told officials [185233]. The group includes families, and aid groups say many are living in temporary shelters with limited access to food and water [185233].
Zimbabwe has already brought home more than 3,600 citizens displaced by anti-immigrant violence in South Africa, with authorities racing to support those still stranded at border points [185216]. Uganda has also announced it will evacuate 746 of its citizens following rising xenophobic violence, after confirming one Ugandan was killed in an attack in KwaZulu-Natal province [184645].
A 29-year-old Malawian man was killed during an anti-immigrant march in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, at the Jika Joe Informal Settlement [180953]. Police have launched an investigation but have not yet made any arrests [180953].
At least 15 journalists have been attacked or threatened while covering anti-migrant protests, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists [185222]. One reporter, Sakhiseni Nxumalo, was targeted by demonstrators who mistook him for a migrant because of his dark skin [185222]. The Committee to Protect Journalists joined seven other media freedom groups in condemning the attacks and called on authorities to protect reporters [185219].
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has issued a strong warning to protesters, saying any criminal conduct will be met with the full force of the law [185238]. He urged citizens to remain calm and avoid violence, warning that attacks on foreign nationals would harm South Africa’s economy and international reputation [185211]. Police have been placed on high alert in major urban areas and say they will protect all residents, regardless of nationality [185211].
The leader of an anti-immigrant group, Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, said the government should be held responsible if violence breaks out, insisting that her group’s marches will be peaceful [182295].