South Africa Boosts Security Ahead of Anti-Migrant Ultimatum

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South African police have beefed up deployments nationwide ahead of a June 30 deadline set by anti-illegal immigration groups for undocumented foreigners to leave. The country has been on edge in recent weeks following violent xenophobic unrest that has left at least two people dead.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) has elevated its operational readiness across all provinces. Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia said comprehensive deployment plans are in place to protect communities, critical infrastructure, and key public spaces.

Firoz Cachalia stressed the right to peaceful protest but warned that criminality, intimidation, violence, property destruction, and attempts to undermine public safety will not be tolerated. He added that law enforcement has a responsibility to ensure that the right to peaceful protest is respected and protected.

Defence Minister Angie Motshekga said the military will secure strategic sites such as airports and stand ready to assist police if needed. She emphasized that the military's role is to secure critical points, and they will only be called in if necessary.

South Africa faces joblessness above 30 per cent and a history of periodic anti-foreigner violence, fuelled by claims that migrants drive crime and steal jobs. Past flare-ups have been deadly, with 62 people killed in 2008 riots and further outbreaks in 2015 and 2016.

The latest tensions come ahead of local government elections scheduled for November 4. During the voter registration at the weekend, gunmen shot dead four people linked to political parties in separate incidents. Two of those killed were affiliated with the opposition Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK) party, which is headed by ex-president Jacob Zuma.

“The South African Police Service has elevated its operational readiness across all provinces, with comprehensive deployment plans in place to protect communities, critical infrastructure and key public spaces,” Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia said.

The South African government has a long history of dealing with anti-foreigner violence, dating back to the 1990s. In 1997, anti-foreigner riots broke out in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, resulting in the deaths of five people.

Firoz Cachalia was appointed as Acting Police Minister in April 2026. He is a former senior police official with over 20 years of experience in law enforcement.

South Africa has been a magnet for migrant labour for decades, attracting workers from across the continent. However, this has also resulted in tensions between locals and migrants.

The country's high unemployment rate has contributed to the tensions between locals and migrants. With joblessness above 30 per cent, many South Africans feel that migrants are taking away their job opportunities.

In 2019, violence broke out in Johannesburg, resulting in the deaths of at least 12 people. The violence was fuelled by claims that migrants were stealing jobs from locals.

The SAPS has a long history of dealing with protests and riots. In 2015, the police were deployed to the province of Limpopo to quell violent protests over land and resources.

The country's Defence Minister, Angie Motshekga, was appointed in 2022. She is a former education minister and has been involved in several high-profile controversies during her career.