Police Ministry reiterates that officers will act decisively against any violence targeting foreign nationals.
Image: RAJESH JANTILAL / AFP
The Police Ministry has issued a stern warning that authorities will act decisively without thinking twice in addressing incidents of violence against foreign nationals, amid a growing trend of civic organisations targeting undocumented foreign nationals.
Police Ministry spokesperson Kamogelo Mogotsi told IOL News that the ministry condemns acts of violence and intimidation directed at foreign nationals.
“The Ministry of Police has on numerous occasions condemned acts of violence and intimidation directed at foreign nationals within the Republic of South Africa as these actions are unlawful and are in direct opposition to the values of dignity, equality, and human rights upon which our democracy is founded,” she said.
“The Ministry has advised that the South African Police Service will act decisively and without hesitation in addressing incidents of violence against foreign nationals.”
“The Ministry of Police has called on all community leaders, civil society organisations, and all stakeholders to work together with law enforcement agencies to prevent further violence and to promote dialogue and understanding,” she said.
This comes amid growing concern about the rise of anti-migrant rhetoric in South Africa.
Anti-migrant sentiment has gained political traction in recent years, with some claiming that foreign nationals are taking jobs and unfairly benefiting from public services.
Previous protests linked to immigration have sometimes escalated into violence.
Xenophobia has long been an issue in South Africa, occasionally erupting into deadly violence.
Demonstrators carry placards calling for stricter action against illegal immigration during the march in Johannesburg.
Image: Simon Majadibodu/IOL
On Wednesday, the controversial anti-migrant movement March and March marched to the Gauteng Provincial Legislature over alleged crimes involving undocumented foreign nationals and unauthorised religious leaders.
Participants included members of March and March, Operation Dudula, ActionSA, the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) and the MK Party.
The groups accuse the government of failing to act decisively against undocumented migration.
The march took place under heavy police and metro police presence.
Tensions escalated in the Johannesburg CBD, where members of the March and March group, some carrying sjamboks, ordered foreign shop owners to close their businesses.
Several businesses shut down as tensions rose and threats intensified.
Addressing supporters at the Gauteng Provincial Legislature, March and March leader Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma said they want all illegal foreigners returned to their countries.
“We want all the stores in the city premier to be owned by South African citizens.”
“What we are demanding, as we have seen from the SIU (Special Investigating Unit), is action against those who obtain documents unlawfully to remain in the country. We want every person who enters South Africa to have their documentation reviewed and for those found to be in the country illegally to be deported to their country of origin.”
Ngobese-Zuma also criticised the police, saying corrupt officers are working with illegal foreigners.
“We want police officers who have integrity. If your seniors are working with illegal foreigners, that has got nothing to do with you. Down with corrupt police officers! Down with corrupt police officers! If your seniors are corrupt they must also be arrested.”
She also accused the government of failing to act decisively against undocumented migration.
The group is calling for tighter immigration controls, stricter visa regulations, a review of asylum policies, action against businesses employing undocumented foreign nationals, accountability for corrupt police officers, and limits on services for undocumented migrants.
Herman Mashaba with Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi during Wednesday's protest action in the Johannesburg city centre over illegal immigration.
Image: Supplied/ActionSA
ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba told IOL News that the party wants all undocumented immigrants sent back to their countries.
“We want all the government to send all illegal foreigners back to their countries, we have got enough of our own problems. We have been asking for a long time, and now we say enough is enough and get these people out of our country so that we can deal with our own problems.”
Mashaba claimed inaction could fuel xenophobia.
“By not having this march, I can tell you it's going to incite xenophobia, right now I am dealing with a case of the disappearance of Mazwi Khubheka, a 27-year-old from Vosloorus, who was kidnapped and hijacked by foreigners.”
He added, “Now you expect us to sit back and say we’re going to incite xenophobia? In fact, by not doing anything, we are going to allow ourselves to be taken over by criminal syndicates. If our government had dealt with this 20 years ago, we would not be dealing with this situation.”
Khubheka went missing on April 2 while on his way to deposit rent money and purchase stock in Marimba Gardens.
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi received the protesters’ memorandum, but declined to address the crowd at length, saying the government would respond within seven days. He was booed as he left shortly after speaking.
He was given seven days to respond to the memorandum of demands, with protesters warning that demonstrations would continue if their demands were not met.
Similar protests have also been reported in parts of KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape as the movement gains momentum.
Meanwhile, speaking to IOL News, Craig Smith said that with local government elections coming up in late 2026, anti-immigrant sentiment has become part of electioneering.
“It’s a hot potato among political parties and is often used ignorantly, in that many of the people who espouse anti-foreign sentiment are none the wiser in terms of what makes them illegal.
“And sadly, their words may result in criminal conduct and need to be considered very carefully. I want to make two points. Firstly, it is not for politicians to talk about foreigners and undocumented foreigners - they need to be contained.
“If they are not contained, it spells the death knell for South Africans. That is the role of our Department of Home Affairs, and it is an indictment on the department. But the question is: is it accurate or is it just electioneering?” he asked.
“The reality is that undocumented migrants - in the first instance - require an understanding of what makes a foreign person undocumented. You need to know the Immigration Act and the Refugees Act before making those comments.”
Demonstrators are calling for stricter action against illegal immigration during the march in Johannesburg.
Image: Simon Majadibodu/IOL
“Secondly, you need to be clear whether they are illegal or not. In many cases, the term is used very loosely and, I would say, irresponsibly.”
Smith criticised marches targeting illegal foreigners as clearly xenophobic.
“It clearly fringes on a criminal offence under the Riotous Assemblies Act. It is also very close to the common-law offence of incitement to violence. It is not as if we have never had deaths resulting from anti-immigrant protest action.”
He also criticised the Department of Home Affairs for not taking action.
“Let’s try to create work for volunteers or unemployed youth to go door to door to determine whether people have legal status. That would be completely mature.
“It would create jobs and assist Home Affairs, but it would not endorse taking the law into one’s own hands. As long as nothing is done, people will get away with this and use platforms to raise their profiles. The government, and in this case the minister, should seek to censure him, along with policing authorities.”
He reiterated that anti-migrant sentiment is likely to intensify ahead of the local government elections.
“Most certainly. Undocumented and even documented migrants are a targeted, vulnerable group and an easy target. In electioneering, they become the easiest prey to raise one’s profile.
“But what is actually happening is that people are taking or seeking to take the law into their own hands by inflaming potential violent conduct outside the law.”
Following Wednesday’s march, the government acknowledged ongoing public discourse on immigration and reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding South Africa’s sovereignty, security and the rule of law, while upholding constitutional values and human dignity.
“The government is strengthening measures to address illegal immigration, including tightening border controls to combat unlawful entry, illicit trade, and fraudulent activities that undermine revenue collection and the rule of law,” said deputy government spokesperson William Baloyi.
“These efforts form part of a broader programme to modernise and reform South Africa’s immigration and border management system into one that is secure, efficient, and responsive to the needs of a modern economy,” Baloyi added.
Protesters march through Johannesburg’s CBD calling for action against undocumented immigration during a demonstration at the Gauteng Provincial Legislature.
Image: Simon Majadibodu/IOL
He said key to this transformation is the introduction of the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system, which will enhance the country’s ability to manage the movement of people in a secure, transparent and efficient manner.
“As part of ongoing reforms, the Government has also taken steps to improve infrastructure at ports of entry, including the planned redevelopment of major land ports through strategic partnerships, aimed at improving security, efficiency, and service delivery.”
He added that South Africa remains a peaceful and responsible member of the international community, committed to maintaining strong and constructive relations globally.
“All individuals within the country are expected to comply with the law and contribute positively to society.”
He called on the public to work with law enforcement authorities and not take the law into their own hands.
According to Baloyi, deportations have increased by 46%, and since April 2023, the Border Management Authority has deported 500,000 people.
“Immediate steps are being taken to demolish and rebuild South Africa’s six busiest land ports of entry as part of a transformative Public-Private Partnership (PPP). The six ports are Lebombo, Beitbridge, Oshoek, Kopfontein, Maseru Bridge and Ficksburg.”
He added that, as announced in the 2026 State of the Nation Address, the Department of Labour and Employment is hiring 10,000 additional permanent labour inspectors to strengthen enforcement and combat exploitation.
“This massive expansion aims to boost the existing 2,300 inspectors and focus on auditing compliance.”
“The government will continue working with relevant stakeholders to ensure that immigration is managed in a manner that protects national interests and the safety of citizens, while promoting economic growth and maintaining social cohesion,” Baloyi said.
President Cyril Ramaphosa, speaking during his Freedom Day address, called for restraint and warned against xenophobia.
“We did not walk alone into freedom. We were carried by a tide of solidarity from the nations of Africa, among many others.”
“These countries opened their borders to our liberation fighters. They shared their bread and their homes. They spoke for us when we could not speak for ourselves. The leaders and people of Africa kept our struggle alive.”
“It cannot be, and it must never be, that we trample into the dust the African fellowship that made our freedom possible.”
UN condemns xenophobic attacks, calling for investigations and protection of human rights for all residents.
Image: Sipho Jack
The United Nations (UN) has also condemned ongoing attacks on foreign nationals.
Stéphane Dujarric, spokesperson for Secretary-General António Guterres, said the UN chief was appalled.
“The Secretary-General is deeply concerned by reports of xenophobic attacks and acts of harassment and intimidation against migrants and foreign nationals in parts of South Africa, including in KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape Province.
“Violence, vigilantism and all forms of incitement to hatred have no place in an inclusive, democratic society governed by the rule of law and respect for human rights.”
He emphasised that investigations must be “prompt, thorough, independent and impartial” and that responses must uphold human rights and dignity.
Questions were sent to DIRCO spokesperson Clayton Monyela, who acknowledged receipt but had not responded by the time of publication.
Questions were also sent to the spokesperson for Home Affairs Minister Dr Leon Schreiber, Carli van Wyk, but no response was received.
simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za
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