South Africa sees mass exodus of immigrants amid xenophobic protests and violence

Over 160,000 foreign nationals have left South Africa in recent months following a surge in anti-immigrant protests and violence, some organized and others opportunistic. Demonstrations, which peaked in late June 2026, have been driven by public frustration over illegal immigration, with claims of high undocumented populations and strained public services. While some protests have been peaceful, there have been multiple reports of assaults, home invasions, and at least four to five deaths. Police have intervened in some incidents, but reports indicate inconsistent responses. The foreign-born population in South Africa rose from 2% in 1996 to 3.9% in 2022, according to census data. Both documented deportations and self-organized repatriations have contributed to the exodus. The government has acknowledged challenges in immigration data collection and enforcement.

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