South Africans hold huge anti-migration march as shops pull down shutters amid looting fears

Ed Griffiths
Fri, 01 May 2026 16:18:42 +0000

Demonstrations against illegal immigration swept through South Africa's major cities this week.

Hundreds gathered in Johannesburg on Wednesday following similar protests in Pretoria the previous day.

Protesters are demanding that authorities crack down on undocumented migrants and carry out large-scale deportations from the country.

The marches have sparked widespread concern among business owners, prompting numerous shops to shut their doors amid fears of looting and opportunistic criminal activity.

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Both local traders and migrant-owned establishments closed as a precaution during the Johannesburg demonstration.

South Africa, as one of the continent's most developed economies, continues to draw migrants seeking better prospects.

The protests were coordinated by the March and March organisation, drawing support from Operation Dudula and political parties ActionSA and Patriotic Alliance.

Participants have pushed back against accusations of xenophobia, insisting their demands centre on lawful migration rather than hostility towards foreigners.

Themba Mabunda of ActionSA, who took part in the march, told the Independent: "We are not xenophobic, we just want the right thing to be done in South Africa, to put the South African first.

"We do want to live with foreigners in our country, but those foreigners must be legally in the country."

The coalition of groups has united around calls for the proper enforcement of existing immigration legislation.

Estimates suggest that between three and five million undocumented migrants currently reside in South Africa.

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Precise figures remain disputed, given that many lack official status.

The country faces unemployment rates surpassing 30 per cent, a statistic frequently cited by those opposing illegal immigration.

Anti-migration campaigners contend that undocumented arrivals contribute to overcrowded urban areas, competition for jobs, lost tax revenue, and heightened security concerns at borders.

Some groups have gone further, reportedly driving foreign nationals from public healthcare facilities with claims they are causing medicine shortages and straining services.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has voiced alarm at reports of xenophobic violence and intimidation targeting migrants across several South African provinces, including KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape.

Last month, an anti-migration demonstration in Eastern Cape turned violent, with protesters setting fire to minibus taxis and damaging public infrastructure.

Separately, alleged assaults on Ghanaian citizens in KwaZulu-Natal triggered a diplomatic row, with South Africa's ambassador to Ghana called in to account for the incidents.

Authorities have stepped up enforcement efforts, removing more than 109,000 undocumented immigrants over the past two financial years.