Beaten, robbed and driven out: violent demonstrations target immigrants in South Africa
South Africa is experiencing a surge in violent anti-immigration protests, leading to thousands of foreign nationals fleeing the country. The unrest is fueled by economic hardship and rising tensions between local communities and immigrant populations.
Why it matters
The situation highlights the severe social and political instability caused by xenophobia and economic inequality in post-apartheid South Africa.
Armed protesters march in Alexandra, near Johannesburg, on 16 July./Getty Images Armed protesters march in Alexandra, near Johannesburg, on 16 July./Getty Images South Africa Beaten, robbed and driven out: violent demonstrations target immigrants in South Africa Thousands have fled amid months of anti-immigration protests as campaigners demand undocumented people leave the country
Rachel Savage in Johannesburg Sun 26 Jul 2026 00.00 EDT Share Prefer the Guardian on Google I n Thembelihle, an informal settlement south of Johannesburg where thousands of breeze-block houses and metal shacks line dirt streets flooded with filthy water, Malawians had lived for years alongside South Africans without any problems.
But in the last few weeks, a series of armed robberies has shaken the community. On 29 June, several men broke into the compound of Eibraheem Hussein, a 60-year-old Malawian who has lived in South Africa since 2000. They beat him and stole valuable items.
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