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“The failure of the state to act decisively against these groups has created a dangerous impression that people have the right to violate the rights of others simply because of their nationality or perceived immigration status,” said Amnesty International South Africa‘s Executive Director Shenilla Mohamed. The organisation warns that vigilantism is being normalised, with acts…

“My greatest takeaway from the marches is that they are less about immigration and more about the nature of South African politics, and the degree to which it has become captured by people willing to use the language of hate, threats of violence, and actual violence to shape the country’s political future.”, shares Professor Loren…

A xenophobic wave, emerging in townships and working-class neighborhoods, has placed immigration at the center of political debate. Professor Loren Landau (African Centre for Migration & Society, Wits University) explains the deeper dynamics: “This isn’t simply a movement against immigration. [There’s] enormous frustration with a state that has spent years failing to address very real…

“How societies name and frame events shapes collective memory and future accountability. If events surrounding the 30 June protests are remembered primarily as peaceful marches followed by voluntary repatriation, the threats, forced evictions, looting and humanitarian crisis that characterised them risk being erased from public memory.” shares Dr Jean Pierre Misago, Senior Researcher and Co-Director…

“There has been a race to the bottom among all of the parties, where everyone is trying to show that they are strong, or stronger, on immigration. It is a convenient way to offer a false solution to South Africa’s very real problems without having to take responsibility.” – Prof. Loren Landau, African Centre for…

Associate Professor Jo Vearey (Co-Director, African Centre for Migration & Society, Wits University) tells Xinhua that migrants are being used as scapegoats for South Africa’s persistent challenges, inequality, unemployment, and pressure on public services. Blaming migrants for these challenges is “factually incorrect,” she said. Vearey also warns that attacks on migrant-owned businesses could ultimately hurt South Africa’s…