The Police Ministry has issued a stern warning that officers will take decisive action without thinking twice. In addressing incidents of violence against foreign nationals, amid the increasing trend of targeting by civilian organizations Undocumented foreign nationals.
Police Ministry spokesperson Kamogelo Mogotsi told IOL News that the ministry condemns acts of violence and intimidation against foreign nationals.
“The Ministry of Police has on several occasions condemned acts of violence and intimidation directed at foreign nationals within the Republic of South Africa as these actions are unlawful and in direct opposition to the values of dignity, equality and human rights on which our democracy is based,” she said.
“The Ministry advises that the South African Police Service will act decisively and without hesitation in addressing incidents of violence against foreign nationals.”
“The Police Ministry has called on all community leaders, civil society organizations and all stakeholders to work together with law enforcement agencies to prevent further violence and promote dialogue and understanding.
Concerns increase as anti-immigrant sentiment grows
It comes amid growing concern about the rise of anti-immigrant rhetoric in South Africa.
Anti-immigrant sentiment has gained political momentum in recent years, with some claiming that foreign nationals are taking jobs and unfairly benefiting from public services.
Previous protests related to immigration have sometimes erupted into violence.
Xenophobia has long been an issue in South Africa, sometimes resulting in deadly violence.
On Wednesday, controversial anti-immigrant movements and marches marched to the Gauteng provincial legislature over alleged crimes involving undocumented foreign nationals and unauthorized religious leaders.
Participants included members of march and marchOperation Dudula, ActionSA, Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) and MK Party.
The groups have accused the government of failing to take decisive action against undocumented migration.
This march took place in the presence of heavy police and metro police.
Tension escalated in the Johannesburg CBD, where marchers and march group members, some of whom owned sjamboks, ordered foreign shop owners to close their businesses.
Many businesses closed as tensions escalated and threats intensified.
The March and March movement wants all undocumented immigrants to be deported
Addressing supporters in the Gauteng provincial legislature, the march and march leader Jacinta Ngobse-Zuma said they want all illegal aliens returned to their countries.
“We want the major stores in the city to be owned by South Africans.”
“What we are demanding, as we have seen from the SIU (Special Investigations Unit), is action against people who obtain documents to stay in the country illegally. We want the documents of every person entering South Africa to be reviewed and those found to be in the country illegally to be deported to their country of origin.”
Ngobse-Zuma also criticized the police, saying corrupt officers were working with illegal aliens.
“We want police officers who have integrity. If your superiors are working with illegal foreigners, it has nothing to do with you. Down with the corrupt police officers! Down with the corrupt police officers! If your superiors are corrupt then they should also be arrested.”
He also accused the government of failing to take decisive action against undocumented migration.
The group is demanding tighter immigration controls, stricter visa rules, a review of asylum policies, action against businesses employing undocumented foreign nationals, accountability for corrupt police officers and limits on services for undocumented immigrants.
Inaction can fuel xenophobia: Mashaba
ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba told IOL News that the party wants all undocumented immigrants to be deported back to their countries.
“We want the government to deport all illegal aliens back to their country, we have enough of our own problems. We have been demanding this for a long time, and now we say enough is enough and take these people out of our country so we can deal with our own problems.”
Mashaba claimed that inaction could fuel xenophobia.
“By not doing this march, I can tell you that it is inciting xenophobia, right now I am dealing with the disappearance of 27-year-old Mazwi Khubeka from Vosloorus, who was abducted by foreigners.”
He added, “Now you expect us to sit back and say we're going to stoke xenophobia? In fact, by doing nothing, we're going to allow ourselves to be taken over by criminal syndicates. If our government had dealt with this 20 years ago, we wouldn't be dealing with this situation.”
Khubheka went missing on 2 April while on his way to Marimba Gardens to collect rent money and buy stock.
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi received the protesters' memorandum, but declined to address the crowd in detail and said the government would respond within seven days. When he left immediately after speaking, he was criticized a lot.
They were given seven days to respond to the memorandum of demands, with the protesters warning that the demonstration would continue if their demands were not met.
Similar protests have also been reported in KwaZulu-Natal and parts of the Eastern Cape as the movement gains momentum.
Immigration experts warn that anti-immigrant sentiment is a hot potato
Meanwhile, speaking to IOL News, Craig Smith said that with local government elections taking place in late 2026, anti-immigrant sentiment has become part of the election campaign.
“This is a hot potato among political parties and is often used ignorantly, because many of those who support anti-foreign sentiment are not savvy in terms of how to delegitimize them.
“And sadly, his words could result in criminal conduct and need to be considered very carefully. I want to say two things. First of all, it's not for politicians to talk about foreigners and undocumented aliens – they need to be controlled.
“If they are not reined in, it is a death knell for South Africans. This is the role of our Home Department, 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 immigrants – in the first place – need to understand why a foreign person is called undocumented. You need to know the Immigration Act and the Refugee Act before you make those comments.”
“Secondly, you need to make it clear whether they are illegal or not. In many cases, the term is used very loosely and, I would say, irresponsibly.”
Smith criticized the march for targeting illegal aliens, calling it blatantly xenophobic.
“This clearly amounts to a criminal offense under the Riotous Assembly Act. It is also very close to the common law offense of inciting violence. It is not as if we have ever had deaths here as a result of anti-immigrant protest action.”
He also criticized the Home Department for not taking action.
“Let's try to have volunteers or unemployed youth go door-to-door to determine whether people have legal status or not. That would be completely counterproductive.
“It will create jobs and assist in home affairs, but it will not support taking the law into one's own hands. Unless something is done, people will get away with it and use the platforms to raise their profile. The government and in this case the minister should join hands with the police officers to condemn them.”
He reiterated that anti-immigrant sentiment is likely to intensify ahead of local government elections.
“Definitely. Undocumented and even documented migrants are a targeted, vulnerable group and an easy target. In election campaigns, they become the easiest prey to raise one's profile.
“But what is really happening is that people are taking or trying to take the law into their own hands by inciting potentially violent conduct outside the law.”
Government condemns increasing violence against foreign nationals
Following Wednesday's march, the government acknowledged the ongoing public discussion on immigration and reaffirmed its commitment to protecting South Africa's sovereignty, security and the rule of law while upholding constitutional values and human dignity.
Deputy government spokesman William Baloyi said, “The government is strengthening measures to address illegal immigration, including tightening border controls to combat illegal entry, illicit trade, and fraudulent activities that undermine revenue collection and the rule of law.”
“These efforts are part of a broader program to modernize and improve South Africa's immigration and border management system to make it secure, efficient and responsive to the needs of a modern economy,” Baloyi said.
He said the key to this transformation is the introduction of the Electronic Travel Authorization (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 the 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 said South Africa remains a peaceful and responsible member of the international community, committed to maintaining strong and constructive relations globally.
“All individuals in the country are expected to follow the law and contribute positively to society.”
He called on the public to work with law enforcement officials and not take the law into their own hands.
According to Baloyi, deportations have increased by 46%, and since April 2023, border management authorities have deported 500,000 people.
“Urgent 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, Oshkosh, Kopfontein, Maseru Bridge and Ficksburg.”
He said that, as announced in the 2026 State of the Nation Address, the Department of Labor and Employment is appointing 10,000 additional permanent labor 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 to work with relevant stakeholders to ensure that immigration is managed in a way that protects national interests and the security of citizens, while promoting economic growth and maintaining social cohesion,” Baloyi said.
Ramaphosa expressed concern
President Cyril Ramaphosa called for restraint and warned against xenophobia during his Independence Day address.
“We did not walk alone on the path to freedom. We moved forward on the tide of solidarity of the countries of Africa as well as many other countries.”
“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 must never be, that we tear to pieces the African fellowship that made our freedom possible.”
The United Nations is deeply concerned
The United Nations (UN) has also condemned the ongoing attacks on foreign citizens.
Stephane Dujarric, a spokesman for Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said the UN chief was shocked.
“The Secretary-General is deeply concerned by reports of xenophobic attacks and harassment and intimidation against migrants and foreign nationals in parts of South Africa, including KwaZulu-Natal and the 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 stressed that investigations must be “prompt, thorough, independent and impartial” and that human rights and dignity must be upheld in responses.
Questions were referred to DIRCO spokesperson Clayton Monyela, who acknowledged receipt but had not responded by the time of publication.
Questions were also sent to Carly van Wyk, a spokesperson for Home Affairs Minister Dr Leon Schreiber, but did not receive a response.
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