READ: ‘Looming Massacre’: South Africa on Edge as Anti-Immigrant Deadline Approaches

Vigilante groups have issued a 30 June deadline for undocumented migrants to leave the country, with activists warning that violence could escalate sharply. Professor Jo Vearey (African Centre for Migration & Society (ACMS), University of the Witwatersrand): “It appears vigilante groups are targeting all foreign nationals residing in South Africa, regardless of their immigration status.”

Thousands of refugees and migrants have already fled their homes in Durban and Cape Town. Several African countries, including Malawi, Mozambique, Ghana, Nigeria, and Zimbabwe, have repatriated hundreds of their citizens.

“The state is responsible for the rule of law and legal processes,” Vearey added. “Everyone within the country has the right to safety and protection.”

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[Credit: AA]