South Africa braces as anti-immigrant crackdown looms: June 30 ultimatum

South Africa braces as anti-immigrant crackdown looms: ultimatum from ultranationalist groups

South Africa is going through one of its worst waves of xenophobic violence in years. Neighborhood patrol groups, backed by ultranationalist movements, have issued an ultimatum: all undocumented immigrants must leave the country before June 30, 2026. The situation has escalated after weeks of attacks that have left dozens injured and spread terror among the migrant population, especially those from other African countries.

The economic and social context of the pressure cooker

The crisis is nothing new. South Africa has endured decades of poverty, structural racism, corruption and violence. With unemployment hovering around 35%, competition for scarce resources fuels resentment against foreigners, who are accused of taking jobs and overloading public services. The government, however, has failed to stem the tide, and security forces are acting at a snail's pace.

The EFF's stance and the contradictions of pan-Africanism

The EFF (Economic Freedom Fighters), a political party known for its radical rhetoric against the white minority and its demands for land expropriation without compensation, has surprised observers by calling for harmony in this crisis. Its discourse appeals to pan-Africanism, arguing that "Africa belongs to Africans," yet the measure excludes African immigrants from other countries. Critics point out the double standard: a party that once called for "kicking out the whites" is now urging calm in the face of violence against foreign Black people.

A country on the edge

The June 30 ultimatum sets the stage for an explosive scenario. The neighborhood patrols, armed with sticks and other objects, have promised to take the law into their own hands if the government fails to act. Meanwhile, the international community watches with concern, with no concrete measures announced so far to protect immigrants. South Africa, once a symbol of the fight against apartheid, is once again a mirror of the continent's contradictions.