Johannesburg – As the ominous 30 June deadline looms, South Africa finds itself at a critical juncture, grappling with escalating tensions surrounding immigration. A mass exodus of Zimbabwean nationals is underway, with over 26,000 individuals having already returned home, many fleeing a climate of fear and hostility fuelled by anti-immigrant sentiment and threats of violence from local groups. The situation has prompted urgent calls for calm from the South African government, even as security forces brace for widespread protests.
In the three weeks leading up to 22 June 2026, a staggering 26,000 undocumented Zimbabweans were repatriated from South Africa. Of this number, 24,211 chose to self-repatriate, while 1,755 received assistance from the Zimbabwean government through the Beitbridge Reception Centre. Nobuhle Ncube, Social Welfare Superintendent at the Beitbridge Reception Centre, noted that most returnees hailed from Harare and Mashonaland West provinces, highlighting the significant demographic impact of this movement.
The sheer volume of returnees has placed immense pressure on Zimbabwean reception facilities. Ms Ncube revealed the Beitbridge Reception Centre is facing
“capacity challenges to feed people who pass through the reception.” While the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) is providing assistance through food vouchers and transport, the centre lacks the resources and manpower for hot meals, particularly for the 767 children among the returnees who require porridge in the mornings.
Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Matabeleland South, Albert Nguluvhe, expressed satisfaction that returnees were being transported to their respective provinces rather than being “dumped in Beitbridge.” He urged the community to “welcome our brothers and sisters with open hands,” acknowledging that they “have had it rough in South Africa.” Concerns were also raised by parents about securing school places and fees for their children, to which Mr Nguluvhe promised to engage with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education for accommodation.
Joshua Chibundu, Department of Immigration regional officer, confirmed that Zimbabweans were not being turned away at the border, stating, “We do not turn away anyone who comes back. We sometimes screen people to confirm they are from Zimbabwe, but we welcome all our citizens.” The Ministry of Local Government and Public Works issued a statement on 21 June 2026, appealing for additional support from various sectors to strengthen repatriation efforts, emphasising a “whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach”.
One anonymous returnee articulated the desperation driving their return: “I am a handy person, I can do any job. That’s how I have been surviving for the past 13 years in South Africa. Things are very bad in South Africa, especially in Cape Town where we stayed. We decided to come back in order to keep our children safe”. This sentiment underscores the profound fear that has gripped migrant communities.
This mass movement occurs against a backdrop of heightened xenophobic tensions in South Africa, exacerbated by the looming 30 June deadline set by anti-illegal immigration groups. Security forces across the country are on high alert, bracing for planned demonstrations. The South African government has appealed for calm, stressing that the rule of law will be enforced, and has warned against vigilantism.
The “March and March” movement, led by Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, has been at the forefront of these anti-immigrant campaigns. While organisers claim their protests are aimed at stricter immigration enforcement and will remain peaceful, the rhetoric surrounding these demonstrations has undeniably fuelled fear and displacement among migrant communities, including refugees, asylum seekers, and documented foreign nationals. Ngobese-Zuma was quoted in media reports asserting there would be “no violence, killings or looting during the protests,” yet the impact of such movements on vulnerable populations is palpable.
South Africa’s Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia has unequivocally stated that “there will be no tolerance for vigilantism, no tolerance for xenophobic or any type of violence, no tolerance for intimidation, and no tolerance for anyone, no matter who they are, who thinks they can decide who may or may not live in our communities”. Police deployments are focused on preventing violence through visible policing, intelligence-led operations, and early intervention against those inciting violence online. Collaborations with private security industries and business leaders have also been initiated to enhance coordination and resource pooling.
Despite these assurances, the reality on the ground for many migrants is one of profound insecurity. Human Rights Watch reported that vigilantes have carried out violent xenophobic attacks targeting African and Asian foreign nationals in recent weeks, often with little or insufficient response from authorities. These attacks have occurred in major cities like Pretoria, Johannesburg, and Durban, with some resulting in fatalities.
Since 2008, South Africa has experienced intermittent but widespread xenophobic harassment and violence. Notable waves of violence erupted in 2015, 2019, and 2021-2022, with the rise of groups like Operation Dudula. The current surge in anti-immigrant activism, spearheaded by groups like March and March, coincides with South Africa’s deteriorating socioeconomic conditions, including an unemployment rate exceeding 43 per cent.
These groups often scapegoat foreign nationals for the country’s economic woes, poor service delivery, and high crime rates, despite studies disproving these claims. Migrants have been prevented from accessing essential services such as healthcare and education in public facilities. A Cameroonian shop owner in Durban, lawfully residing in South Africa for nearly 20 years, recounted a brutal attack by individuals he believed were affiliated with March and March in April 2026. He and his colleagues were whipped with golf sticks and sjamboks, and sprayed with pepper spray, with no law enforcement intervention.
The Human Rights Watch report also highlighted a credible account of a Malawian national who died from injuries after being beaten and tortured by police for failing to produce proper documentation. Such incidents underscore the systemic vulnerabilities faced by migrants.
International bodies have voiced their concern. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres expressed concerns over the reported xenophobic harassment, discrimination, and attacks in South Africa on 27 April 2026. The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights echoed these sentiments, urging the South African government to investigate the violence and ensure accountability.
The fear among immigrants is palpable. In Johannesburg, many live in constant apprehension. Guy, a 25-year-old Malawian carpenter, shared his fear of March and March protesters, stating, “They can kill you.” He is contemplating returning to Malawi, one of the world’s poorest countries, due to the escalating violence. Sandile Mbuyazi, an 18-year-old Zimbabwean, echoed this fear, but felt trapped, unable to return to Zimbabwe due to its severe economic and political challenges.
Victor Sithole, a 55-year-old Zimbabwean upholsterer who has lived in South Africa for decades, described the situation as “like a war zone.” Despite possessing a resident’s permit, he fears it offers little protection against xenophobic groups. “When there’s war, they don’t choose who are you. War is war, so you have to just be careful no matter what. They’re not talking about papers, they’re talking about the foreign people… they say go back to your country,” he stated, adding that South Africa has become his home.
Kofi David, a Ghanaian businessman, believes the hatred stems from jealousy over successful migrant-owned businesses and attributes it to political opportunism ahead of local elections. Bona Mapezi Bahati, a 33-year-old Congolese woman, eight months pregnant, recounted fleeing the Democratic Republic of Congo 15 years ago after being gang-raped. Now, she faces xenophobia in South Africa, struggling with an expired asylum seeker visa and being turned away from clinics. “I feel so sad, especially as I’m pregnant, I’m scared they’ll kill me,” she said, drawing parallels to her traumatic experiences in Congo.
Mozambique has reported that five of its citizens were killed in xenophobic attacks in South Africa, with two deaths confirmed by South African police in Mossel Bay. Similarly, five Ethiopian nationals were shot dead in the Johannesburg CBD in April 2026 in suspected targeted hits. These incidents highlight the deadly consequences of the rising anti-immigrant sentiment.
The Zimbabwean government, while assisting with repatriation, has also faced criticism. Reports indicate that Zimbabwe initially refused to provide transport for repatriation, a decision that has since been clarified by their appeals for support from various organisations.
As the 30 June deadline approaches, the situation remains volatile. The confluence of economic hardship, political rhetoric, and a history of xenophobic violence has created a deeply precarious environment for foreign nationals in South Africa. The mass exodus of Zimbabweans is a stark indicator of the profound fear and insecurity that has taken root, demanding urgent and comprehensive solutions to protect human lives and uphold fundamental rights.