South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday vowed to crush any attempts to destabilise the country during planned anti-immigrant marches scheduled for June 30, amid growing fears of xenophobic violence.
Citizen-led groups have issued an ultimatum demanding that undocumented foreigners leave the country by June 30 and have called for nationwide protests against illegal immigration, following months of demonstrations that have at times turned violent.
The development has heightened concerns about a resurgence of xenophobic attacks, which have claimed lives in the past.
“We will not tolerate any attempts to destabilise the country by anyone, whether marching or otherwise,” Ramaphosa said while addressing the upper house of parliament.
“Our security forces are ready, and those who transgress the measures that we are putting in place will definitely meet the might of the law,” he added.
South African police have announced heightened security measures nationwide ahead of the planned protests, while government officials have intensified efforts to maintain peace, including consultations with the influential Zulu Royal House.
Tensions have been rising across the country following weeks of unrest linked to anti-immigrant sentiments. Official sources say at least three people have been killed, while authorities in Mozambique reported that five of their citizens died in related incidents.
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The anti-migrant campaign has also triggered the voluntary return of thousands of foreign nationals from countries including Nigeria, Ghana, Malawi and Mozambique.
Makeshift camps have emerged in cities such as Durban and Johannesburg as thousands of migrants await transportation home, prompting warnings from humanitarian organisations about a worsening crisis.
“We are taking measures to ensure that the 30th becomes a normal day where people will be able to work, to go about their business,” Ramaphosa said.
South Africa, one of Africa’s largest economies, has long attracted migrants seeking employment despite its own unemployment rate standing at around 32 per cent.
Competition for jobs and economic opportunities has fuelled resentment among some citizens, with migrants often being blamed for rising poverty and crime.
While Ramaphosa and major labour unions have argued that migrants are being unfairly scapegoated for broader economic challenges, some politicians have increasingly used anti-immigration rhetoric ahead of local government elections later this year.
South Africa has previously experienced deadly outbreaks of xenophobic violence. In 2008, riots targeting foreign nationals left 62 people dead, while violence in 2019 resulted in at least 12 deaths after mobs attacked foreign-owned businesses around Johannesburg.