For months, anti-migrant rhetoric had been building across South Africa, with some groups calling for the immediate and massive deportation of all illegal immigrants currently in the country. The situation has escalated, with migrants facing violence and ultimatums to leave the country.

Violence and Intimidation

In early June, two men gave Kaunga Nyirenda, a Malawian gardener living in a Johannesburg suburb, a chilling ultimatum: leave now or face death. Nyirenda’s experience reflects a broader surge in anti-immigrant sentiment, with protest groups and self-styled vigilantes staging demonstrations that have appeared to spark violent attacks on both documented and undocumented foreign nationals.

The South African government has rejected the so-called ‘deadline’ made by these groups for foreigners to leave the country, as fears grow of a violent climax at the end of the month. One of the groups, March & March, called for mass protests if its demands are not met.

Ahead of the planned demonstrations, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa warned that the government ‘will not tolerate any attempts to destabilize the country by anyone, whether marching or otherwise.’ He has repeatedly condemned attacks on foreign nationals, saying they ‘do not represent the views of South Africa’s people, nor reflect our government’s policy.’

Roots of the Crisis

South Africa continues to grapple with high unemployment, one of the world’s highest murder rates, and deep racial inequality. Attacks on foreign nationals are not new to South Africa, which has experienced repeated waves of xenophobic violence. More than 3 million immigrants, about 5% of the population, live in the country, most having arrived from neighboring Southern African countries in search of work.

Anti-immigrant resentment has long focused on migrants from Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Malawi, with similar hostility directed at Ghanaians and Nigerians. The latest tensions have revived memories of the xenophobic violence of 2008, which killed at least 62 people and displaced thousands.

Original reporting: KRDO (Colorado Springs metro) — read the source article.