Xenophobia Deadline Looms Over Johannesburg Migrants BODY: In the shadow of Johannesburg’s sprawling informal settlement of Tembelihle, the air is thick with anticipation and fear.
The residents, many of them Malawian migrants, are bracing for the approaching June 30 deadline set by anti-immigrant activists, which has stoked tensions across South Africa.
The Tembelihle Crisis Committee, a grassroots movement that has historically opposed xenophobic violence, organized a meeting to try to prevent attacks on foreign nationals. Despite the group’s efforts, the gathering revealed deep divisions among the community. While some urged residents to refrain from targeting foreign nationals, others blamed them for crime and social issues.
Amidst the discord, applause and cheers erupted from parts of the crowd as calls were made for foreigners to leave the country.
The atmosphere shifted following a stabbing incident near Park Station, where it was unclear whether the crime was opportunistic or connected to the rising anti — immigrant sentiment. Professor Luke Sinwell of the University of Johannesburg commented on the situation, noting that efforts to discourage violence were overshadowed by the internal conflict at the meeting.
The uncertainty is palpable among the migrant communities. One Malawian man spoke of the fear for his family, expressing a desperate need to leave the country before the deadline, or face the risk of harm.
The man has been camping outside his country’s consulate, searching for transportation, amidst the growing sense of dread. Unofficial flyers, resembling official government notices, have spread panic through social media and pamphlets, falsely claiming that undocumented foreign nationals had until June 30 to leave or face arrest, detention, and deportation.
The South African government has dismissed these notices as fraudulent.
The anti — immigration group March and March claims its campaign focuses on government failure regarding undocumented immigration, not on foreign nationals.
However, the group’s activities have been linked to violent incidents in Mossel Bay and Pietermaritzburg. Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia has warned of potential unrest and has deployed additional resources and canceled police leave. Protests have already erupted in Johannesburg and Durban, with residents demanding stricter border controls.
Despite the government’s efforts to calm the situation, the rhetoric has not quelled the fears of migrants living on the edge of violence. Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi, chair of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Migration, acknowledged that the situation had become tense but emphasized that there is no organized structure driving the violence. Statistics South Africa estimates that approximately.
(Note: The current draft does not provide a complete figure, so this section is left incomplete for the purpose of this exercise.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: aljazeera
Source: Qaanitah Hunter
