Anti-Immigrant Violence Forces Migrants to Flee South African Towns

By Southerton Business Times | Harare

Hundreds of foreign nationals are seeking shelter or preparing to return home after a fresh wave of anti-immigrant violence spread across parts of South Africa's Western Cape Province, with migrants describing scenes of intimidation, looting and fear.

The latest unrest comes amid a broader crackdown on undocumented migrants and growing anti-foreigner protests in several South African communities, prompting neighbouring countries, including Zimbabwe and Mozambique, to step up repatriation efforts for their citizens. According to Reuters, Mozambican national Lado Amido fled his home in the coastal town of Kleinmond after an angry crowd reportedly went door-to-door ordering foreign nationals to leave the community.

The 49-year-old, who moved to South Africa in February in search of work, said he spent two nights hiding in nearby mountains before seeking refuge at Kleinmond Town Hall alongside about 100 other migrants.

"On the 31st, people came to my house, knocked on the door, and then took all my belongings," Amido told Reuters.

Many of those sheltering at the hall are from Mozambique and Malawi, while others are hoping to join voluntary repatriation programmes organised by their governments.

The Mozambican government says five of its citizens were killed during xenophobic attacks in Mossel Bay over the weekend, highlighting the growing humanitarian impact of the unrest. Anti-immigrant violence has periodically flared in South Africa over the past two decades, with foreign nationals often blamed for unemployment, crime and pressure on public services despite studies showing little evidence that migrants are the primary cause of these challenges.

Speaking in Parliament this week, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa condemned the recent violence while acknowledging that migration remains a complex issue requiring policy attention.

"As we work to build a safer and more prosperous society, we need to address the challenge of migration," Ramaphosa said.

Grant Cohen, a ward councillor for Kleinmond, said immigration officials had recently conducted inspections at local businesses to identify undocumented workers. However, he stressed that many of the migrants now sheltering at the town hall were legally resident in South Africa.

"We've got kids here at the moment who should be in school, who have been in school in Kleinmond, but now want to flee the country out of fear and intimidation," Cohen told Reuters. "I don't believe that residents should take things into their own hands."

Another migrant, Michael Markson from Malawi, said he fled an informal settlement after his landlord warned him that protesters intended to attack foreign nationals.

"My landlord came telling me that I should evacuate because if they find us, they're going to kill us," he said.

Markson said he spent a night hiding in nearby mountains before receiving food from his employer.

Although Malawi's weak economy had driven him to seek work in South Africa, he said he would rather return home than continue living in fear.

"In our country there's no good economy, but it's better than living in a community where your life is under threat," he said.

The latest attacks come as the Zimbabwean Government continues receiving thousands of citizens returning from South Africa through reception centres established in Beitbridge, Bulawayo and other parts of the country. Authorities have expanded humanitarian support, including temporary accommodation, food assistance, counselling and transport, while urging communities to help reintegrate returnees displaced by the violence.

South Africa xenophobic attacks