South Africa Protests Displace Thousands of Migrants as June 30 Ultimatum Fuels Xenophobic Anger
Updated
Updated · Bloomberg · Jun 30
South Africa Protests Displace Thousands of Migrants as June 30 Ultimatum Fuels Xenophobic Anger
3 articles · Updated · Bloomberg · Jun 30
Summary
Thousands of foreign nationals have been driven from their homes as anti-migrant protests across South Africa capped weeks of escalating demonstrations.
June 30 became a flashpoint after pressure group March and March set a deadline for undocumented migrants to leave, helping turn anger and scapegoating into coordinated street action.
Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and Western Cape saw demonstrations under heavy security, with police deployed to contain violence and prevent xenophobic attacks.
President Cyril Ramaphosa's government has distanced itself from the ultimatum, insisting immigration enforcement is a state function even as the unrest exposes deep anti-foreigner tensions.