JOHANNESBURG - South Africa’s government said Sunday it has arrested more than 40,000 undocumented migrants this year, including 7,400 in the past month, as it moves to quell weeks of protests against foreigners that have turned deadly.
Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi announced the figures at the first briefing of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Migration, following President Cyril Ramaphosa’s televised address a week ago outlining tougher action on illegal immigration.
The crackdown comes amid widespread protests against migrants across Africa’s largest economy. Marches have been held in multiple cities, with some turning violent. Five Mozambicans were killed last month, and there have been reports of looting of foreign-owned shops and destruction of homes.
“Malicious campaigns are intentionally orchestrated to damage South Africa’s hard-earned international reputation,” Kubayi said. “We call on all South Africans to reject the path of vigilantism, dismiss the noise of misinformation, and to partner with government.”
Anti-immigration groups, including March and March, have set June 30 as a deadline for undocumented migrants to leave the country. The group denies xenophobia but says its protests redirect public anger toward the government.
March and March founder Jacinta Ngobese told Reuters, “We are not responsible for the violence. If we were violent, we would have been arrested.”
In Durban, about 200 migrants camped outside the central police station after fleeing their homes during protests. Four told Reuters police later told them to leave and fired on them with rubber-coated steel bullets and tear gas.
Durban police spokesperson Booysie Zungu denied the account.
“We never tear gassed anyone, we never fired on anyone,” Zungu said.
Ghana, Nigeria, Malawi and Mozambique have begun repatriating citizens. Nigeria’s foreign ministry said 262 nationals arrived in Lagos Thursday, with more than 1,000 registered for voluntary return.
The United Nations called for “calm, restraint, and respect for the rule of law” amid reports of threats, violence and hate speech.
Ramaphosa’s five-point plan includes tougher penalties for employers hiring undocumented migrants, specialized immigration courts, expanded biometric registration, stronger border security and anti-corruption measures at ports of entry.
The Border Management Authority has deployed drones and body cameras and established roadblocks on major routes, including the Beit Bridge corridor to Zimbabwe.
Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber said the green ID book is “the most defrauded piece of identity documentation in South Africa” and is easily manipulated, including through AI.
Foreigners are often blamed for unemployment and crime and for straining government services. About 60 people died and 50,000 were displaced in attacks against migrants in 2008, with major flare-ups in 2015 and 2019.
Police have made some arrests connected to recent violence, but responses remain rare, according to migrants and local media.