Migrants Face June Deadline to Leave South Africa After Machete Attacks

They came with machetes, locals told reporters, describing how angry crowds descended on migrant communities across multiple South African cities this week. The violence has forced thousands of foreign nationals to pack their belongings as a government-set deadline approaches in June.

Violent scenes erupt across South Africa

Protesters in Johannesburg and Pretoria brandished machetes and other weapons as they drove migrants from informal settlements. Videos shared widely on social media showed crowds setting fire to makeshift shelters where migrants had lived for years. Witnesses described panic spreading through the streets as families fled with children and whatever they could carry.

The attacks mark the latest chapter in a long history of xenophobic violence in South Africa. Hostility toward immigrants from neighbouring countries has flared repeatedly over the past two decades, often triggered by economic hardship and political blame-shifting.

The June deadline explained

Local authorities in several municipalities have ordered migrants to leave specific areas by the end of June. The orders apply to undocumented immigrants and, in some cases, to those with valid work permits living outside designated zones. Government officials said the measures aim to restore order, but critics argue they legalise discrimination.

Who is affected

Migrants from Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and the Democratic Republic of Congo make up the largest groups caught in the crackdown. Many have lived in South Africa for more than a decade, building businesses and sending money home to families who depend on those remittances. The sudden orders leave them with a stark choice: relocate deeper into the country or attempt the dangerous journey back across the border.

Government response under scrutiny

The South African government has deployed police to several flashpoints, but critics say the response has been inconsistent. In some areas, officers stood by as crowds attacked migrant property. In others, they escorted migrants to temporary shelters. The Ministry of Home Affairs declined to specify how many people have been displaced so far.

Human rights groups have condemned the violence and the deadline simultaneously. The Southern African Development Community called for an urgent meeting to discuss the situation, warning that the instability could strain diplomatic relations across the region.

Economic fallout for host communities

The unrest has disrupted local markets where migrants and South Africans work side by side. In Johannesburg's CBD, several small businesses owned by foreign nationals remain shuttered. Street vendors who depended on daily income have lost their stock and their livelihoods overnight. South African customers say they too feel the pinch as familiar traders vanish from their neighbourhoods.

What comes next

The June deadline looms just days away. Migrant advocacy groups are pressing the government to extend the timeline and provide safe passage for those who choose to return home. South Africa's neighbours are watching closely, with some preparing reception facilities at border crossings in case large numbers attempt to cross simultaneously.

The international community has not yet intervened publicly, but diplomats say private discussions are underway. Watch for whether South African President Cyril Ramaphosa addresses the nation before the deadline arrives. How his government handles the crisis will likely shape regional relations for years to come.

See Also

• Scientists Warn El Niño Threatens Southern Africa — Millions at Risk
• Nigeria Celebrates Children’s Day Amid Struggles for Child Rights and Welfare

Author

Ngozi Eze

Ngozi Eze is an environmental and agriculture journalist based in Port Harcourt, covering oil pollution, climate change, and food systems across the Niger Delta and broader Nigeria. She reports on the environmental consequences of oil spills, gas flaring, and deforestation, as well as the agricultural challenges facing farming communities.

Ngozi has documented the impact of oil industry operations on fishing and farming livelihoods in Rivers and Bayelsa states. Her work has appeared in national environmental platforms and international climate media. She holds a degree in environmental science from the University of Port Harcourt.