Anti-immigration protesters in South Africa have intensified their campaign against foreign nationals, with some groups reportedly entering homes in Johannesburg and handing suspected undocumented migrants over to the police.
The incidents occurred on Thursday in Johannesburg’s Alexandra township, where protesters moved from house to house in search of foreign nationals they believed were living in the country without proper documentation.
According to a Reuters report, protesters were seen breaking down doors and entering homes before escorting some migrants to police vans. Among those taken away were a woman and a young child from Malawi.
A Zimbabwean national, Total Mhlanga, who was also apprehended by the protesters, told Reuters that he was legally resident in South Africa under the Zimbabwean Exemption Permit.
“I am a ZEP holder,” he said, referring to the permit that allows many Zimbabwean nationals to live and work in South Africa.
Similar anti-immigration marches also took place in Soweto and Durban. In Soweto, protesters reportedly marched through the town carrying sticks and flags, while flyers for the demonstrations described the action as a “peaceful march” followed by “door to door” visits.
The protests come amid rising anti-immigrant sentiment in South Africa, where unemployment and economic hardship have fuelled public anger. Some groups have blamed undocumented migrants for the country’s social and economic problems, while demanding tighter border controls and mass deportations.
The campaign has been linked to the group March and March, led by former radio presenter Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma. The group has called for schools, hospitals and other public services to prioritise South African citizens.
A community leader at the Alexandra march, Bongani Msomi, said the protesters were moving from house to house to remove foreigners from the area.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has warned South Africans against blaming immigrants for deep-rooted national problems. His government has also repeatedly cautioned citizens that they do not have the authority to enforce immigration laws on their own.
Police have increased arrests of undocumented migrants in response to the protests and have deployed officers during recent demonstrations to maintain public order.
The growing tension has also affected relations between South Africa and some neighbouring countries. Malawi’s government said on Thursday that more than 38,000 of its citizens had returned from South Africa in recent weeks due to safety concerns.
More than 60,000 Zimbabweans have also reportedly returned home as fears continue to grow among migrant communities.
The latest developments have raised concerns over possible xenophobic violence, with rights advocates warning that immigration enforcement should be handled by lawful authorities and not by private citizens or protest groups.