South Africa Anti-Immigrant Violence Drives 160,000 Out as Marchers Raid Homes

3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Jul 26

Thousands more migrants fled South Africa in July as anti-immigrant marches continued after a 30 June deadline, with attackers still forcing people from homes in Johannesburg settlements.
At least four Malawian households in Thembelihle were robbed on 16 July by armed men telling residents to "go home," while marchers in Alexandra later broke down doors as police largely stood by.
Official figures compiled by AFP show more than 160,000 people have left South Africa since March, including at least 54,000 deportations, and at least four people have been killed.
Outside Malawi's consulate in Johannesburg, thousands slept in temperatures below 10C waiting for buses home, while Médecins Sans Frontières reported blocked healthcare access, including tuberculosis and psychiatric cases.
The unrest has been fueled by anger over unemployment and inequality, with campaign groups and some political parties backing weekly protests even as rights advocates accuse them of scapegoating migrants.