Five things to know about South Africa's anti-immigrant protests

Analysts say waves of xenophobic violence, including in 2008 when dozens were killed, reflect deep structural problems in Africa's most industrialized nation.

Here are five things to know about the latest unrest, which has drawn criticism from many African countries.

-What sparked the new wave? –

Mostly low-key protests against migrants have been taking place for months after flaring up late last year, when undocumented foreign nationals were blocked from accessing clinics and hospitals.

Reflects growing public anger over issues like increasing unemployment, crime And the pressure on resources, analysts say, is making the steady influx of mostly African migrants a convenient scapegoat.

It appears that some political forces are using the tension to garner support ahead of the municipal elections in November.

William Gumede, a professor of public management at the University of the Witwatersrand, said South Africa is under pressure from global shocks and domestic policy failures.

Pointing to the government's “self-inflicted toxic policies” and its failure to reverse the economic decline, he said, “We are entering very difficult times.”

According to the National Statistics Agency, there are about 3 million immigrants in the country, accounting for about 5.1 percent of the population.

More than 63 percent of the 16-member Southern African Development Community (SADC) bloc comes from neighboring countries that are facing their own economic crises and political instability.

With South Africa's unemployment rate at around 33 percent – ​​much higher when discouraging job seekers are included – there is particular resentment towards working migrants.

Also read: Zaba says an undocumented migrant has been flagged in the Home Affairs verification process

-Who is behind the protest? –

The protesters have been joined in the action by a loose coalition of political parties and citizen-led xenophobic vigilante movements, some of which are fronted by men in traditional Zulu attire.

They allege that migrants are behind crime and snatching jobs from locals has increased tensions in the township due to poverty, unemployment and weak policing.

A blatant social media campaign that includes disinformation debunked by the AFP contributes to the spread of anti-migrant sentiment.

“The main ingredient is right-wing political opportunism,” political scientist Sandile Swana told AFP. This risks redirecting anger away from structural failures, he warned.

“We are seeing a new form of black-on-black violence designed to divert attention from the real culprits of the economic crisis,” he said.

– Why does xenophobia keep emerging again and again? –

South Africa has experienced repeated waves of xenophobic violence over the past two decades.

Anti-immigrant riots in 2008 killed 62 people and displaced thousands. Further outbreaks occurred in 2015 and 2016.

Violence in 2019 saw armed mobs attack foreign-owned businesses around Johannesburg, killing at least 12 people – 10 of whom were South African citizens.

Critics say weak law enforcement and limited prosecution have reinforced a culture of impunity, allowing anti-immigrant rhetoric as well as surveillance actions to continue.

“There is no law enforcement, no prosecution against illegal, unlawful vigilantism and Afrophobia in South Africa,” Swana said.

Gumede said what distinguishes the current wave is the growing acceptance of xenophobic rhetoric beyond marginalized groups.

“That wasn't the case in the past, which is really a flashpoint,” he said.

– How has the world reacted? –

Several African countries, including Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Lesotho and Zimbabwe, have urged their citizens in South Africa to exercise caution.

Ghana has formally petitioned the African Union And started efforts to bring back the civilians.

The United Nations said it was “deeply concerned” while Human Rights Watch criticized the lack of an adequate response from the authorities.

South Africa's government, meanwhile, has rejected accusations of xenophobia and urged other African countries to address the economic and governance crises fueling migration.

– what comes next? –

While the bloodshed in this wave of anti-migrant crackdown is nothing compared to previous years, the order by monitoring groups to release undocumented migrants by June 30 is creating fear, even though it has no legal significance.

Demonstrations have been announced in the lead up to this, with groups also forcing small businesses run by foreign nationals to close.

Meanwhile, South Africa's international reputation has suffered, undermining its image as a champion of human rights and African solidarity after apartheid.

“The government had established South Africa as a moral authority but now that has been badly eroded,” Gumede said.

The violence has “opened up a view that will probably later be exploited by people like Donald Trump that we are a genocidal nation,” he said, referring to a debunked claim that the white Afrikaner minority in South Africa is systematically persecuted.