30/06/2026
As South Africa braces for the nationwide June 30 anti-illegal immigration protests and shutdown on Tuesday, tensions have reached their highest level in years.
This prompted an unprecedented security response from the government, warnings from civil society, and growing concern among neighbouring countries.
The demonstrations, organised primarily by the March and March movement together with more than 20 allied organisations, have been framed as a campaign against illegal immigration.
However, government and rights groups have sounded the alarm that the movement has already contributed to violence, fear and the displacement of thousands of migrants, including documented foreign nationals.
It is important to remember that the June 30 campaign did not emerge overnight. Over recent weeks, anti-illegal immigration demonstrations have spread across parts of KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng and the Western Cape, with organisers demanding stricter enforcement of immigration laws and calling on undocumented foreign nationals to leave South Africa.
The movement has centred its campaign around a self-imposed June 30 deadline for undocumented migrants to "self-deport." At a recent media briefing in Midrand, March and March leader Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma insisted the demonstrations would be peaceful.
Government has repeatedly stressed that June 30 is not a national shutdown and stated that as far as work goes, it is a regular day.
During an Inter-Ministerial Committee on Migration briefing, committee chairperson Mmamoloko Kubayi said schools, hospitals, clinics, businesses and public services would continue operating normally.
She warned that no private citizen has the authority to demand identification documents, question people's nationality or block access to public facilities.
Kubayi emphasised that enforcing immigration laws remains the responsibility of the state.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has echoed those sentiments, assuring South Africans that law enforcement agencies are prepared to maintain order.
Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia has delivered perhaps the strongest warning yet, saying there would be "no tolerance" for vigilantism, xenophobic violence, intimidation or any attempts by private individuals to decide who may live in South African communities.
Police, metro police, intelligence structures and private security companies have all been mobilised ahead of the demonstrations, with Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, the Western Cape and Eastern Cape identified as possible flashpoints.
Although organisers continue to describe June 30 as a peaceful campaign, violence linked to anti-migrant sentiment has already claimed lives.
Recent attacks targeting foreign nationals have resulted in several deaths, and many migrants have reportedly fled their homes in fear.
Thousands of Malawian, Zimbabwean and Mozambican nationals have sought assistance from their embassies or gathered at temporary camps while awaiting transport home.
Aid organisations have reported growing humanitarian concerns as families are separated and shelters become overcrowded.
The heightened tensions have also affected legally documented migrants, refugees and asylum seekers, many of whom say they fear becoming targets simply because they are perceived to be foreigners.
