FEATURE: As migrants await repatriation, South Africa faces persistent anti-immigration tensions

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 own economy. The closure of spaza shops could drive up food prices, while forcing other migrant-owned businesses to close would disrupt local economies, regional trade, and investment.

“The disruption will affect South Africa, the region and even cross-border trade. South Africa’s reputation would be damaged. We are alarmed by what we are seeing.”

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[Photo by Ihsaan Haffejee/Xinhua]