South Africa warns anti-migrant protesters ahead of unofficial deadline

President Cyril Ramaphosa has warned people planning protests against undocumented migrants in South Africa not to use intimidation, threats, ultimatums, vandalism or violence. His warning came on the eve of an unofficial deadline for undocumented foreigners to leave the country, as protests continued in several areas. The issue has become a source of domestic tension, with migration, public safety and constitutional rights now at the centre of the debate.

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Ramaphosa said in his weekly newsletter that some foreign nationals in South Africa are in the country lawfully and are protected by the law and the constitution. He said they work, study, raise families and invest in the economy, and should not be threatened or intimidated. He also said the right to protest and freedom of expression does not allow people to engage in vandalism or violence.

Several thousand citizens of other African countries have already left South Africa in recent weeks, according to the report, with many said to be fearing violence. Ahead of the deadline, thousands of migrants have been waiting in temporary camps for processing for several weeks because of safety concerns. In Durban, one of the cities where protests have been strongest, white tents housing mostly Malawians are being dismantled as authorities move to clear a transit camp.

The situation matters because it combines migration pressure with questions about public order and the treatment of foreign nationals. South Africa has more than three million documented foreign nationals, according to official figures, making immigration a significant political and social issue. The protests also highlight the strain on local authorities as they try to manage departures, processing and security at the same time.

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The report describes a growing anti-migrant campaign that has intensified in recent months. Ramaphosa has repeatedly urged demonstrators to act peacefully and responsibly while also acknowledging calls for immigration reform. The presence of temporary camps, and the fact that some migrants are leaving before formal processing is complete, suggests that fear of violence is shaping events as much as official policy.

Among those affected are migrants from Malawi, including people waiting to board buses home from Durban. One undocumented Malawian said he was happy to be returning but heartbroken to leave behind four young children. Another Malawian man said he had come to South Africa to find work and support his family, but felt he had no choice but to go back after being told he did not have the right documents.

What remains unclear is how many more people will leave before the deadline, whether protests will continue, and how authorities will balance enforcement with the need to prevent further unrest.

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