Durban, September 8 — A demonstration against undocumented migrants in South Africa turned violent on Thursday, resulting in the arrest of one foreign national and injuries to five Congolese nationals, including two children, according to a community leader. The protest, organized by an anti-illegal migrant group, involved about 100 marchers who conducted what police described as a “clean-up campaign” against an encampment of several hundred foreign nationals outside a government office.
The encampment, established 13 weeks ago, housed migrants, many from the Democratic Republic of Congo, who sought protection from mobs of South Africans campaigning against undocumented migrants.
Xenophobic Tensions Escalate
Police reported that during the commotion, stones were thrown, and one stone thrown by a foreign national struck a police officer, leading to the arrest of that individual. Bishop Raphael, a leader of the group of foreigners from the DRC, stated that the protesters were armed with sticks and attacked the encampment, with police attempting to separate the groups and using stun grenades to disperse the crowds, resulting in injuries. Raphael said, “The march today was very violent.
They found us here and immediately attacked our people. We are not committing any crime by being here.
This is uncalled for.” The violence is part of a broader wave of anti-migrant sentiment in South Africa, which has seen at least four foreign nationals killed and tens of thousands flee the country amid weeks of action against irregular migration.
Regional Impact
Tensions escalated after fringe groups campaigning against undocumented migrants set a June 30 deadline for them to leave. According to an AFP tally based on figures from African governments that have repatriated their nationals, more than 200,000 people fled. The South African police confirmed at least four migrant deaths during the violence, though some foreign governments claim the toll is higher. The situation highlights ongoing xenophobic tensions in South Africa, which has a history of anti-immigrant violence, and the challenges faced by refugees and migrants seeking safety in the country.
