South Africa has rejected allegations of xenophobia following demonstrations earlier this week over undocumented immigration, as several African countries issued advisories to their nationals living in the country.
Countries including Ghana, Lesotho, Malawi, Kenya and Nigeria have urged their citizens to ensure they have proper documentation and exercise caution amid concerns linked to immigration enforcement and public safety.
Ghana had also requested that the issue be debated at the upcoming African Union Mid-Year Coordination Summit in Cairo later this month.
In a statement shared by the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola said government had moved swiftly to condemn incidents involving confrontations with immigrants and directed law enforcement agencies to act against intimidation and unlawful conduct.
Government says the situation reflects long-standing challenges around illegal immigration, unemployment and pressure on public services, and not targeted hostility against foreign nationals.
Responding to ongoing concerns, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said South Africans have a right to raise issues around illegal immigration, but warned that violence linked to such protests is unacceptable and must be dealt with by law enforcement.
“South Africans are within their right to protest against the spiralling illegal immigration challenge, but violence linked to those protests in the past is not acceptable and law enforcement must deal with the instigators of such violence,” she said at a post-Cabinet briefing in Cape Town on Thursday.
She added that government is continuing with measures to address illegal immigration, including strengthening border controls through the Border Management Agency (BMA), accelerating deportations, and acting against criminal activity linked to undocumented migration.
The cabinet has also directed intensified workplace inspections and stricter enforcement of labour and municipal regulations.
“On a policy level, the Revised White Paper on Immigration addresses constraints with current immigration laws by introducing provisions of ‘first country of safety’ principle, moving refugee reception centres nearest to the border, and a clause to enable relevant departments to designate certain trades, professions, and businesses only for South Africans and refugees,” Ntshavheni said.
The controversy has also been intensified by the circulation of viral content alleging attacks on foreign nationals, which authorities say is misleading.
The Cabinet has denounced the viral circulation of fake videos and images claiming to be of attacks on foreign nationals in South Africa.
“The fake videos and images… are intended to undermine the good reputation of South Africa internationally and undermine South Africa’s pursuit of a better Africa agenda.”
Some of the advisories seen by the Saturday Star include that of Lesotho, where the High Commission of the Kingdom of Lesotho has advised Basotho living in South Africa to exercise caution and carry valid documentation at all times, urging nationals to avoid areas where demonstrations may occur.
Meanwhile, the Malawi High Commission in Pretoria and the Consulate General in Johannesburg have also urged Malawian nationals to remain alert, warning of reported incidents targeting foreign nationals and emphasising the importance of carrying valid identification documents, including passports and permits.
The SA government further defended its broader migration record, saying the country hosts an estimated three million migrants, most of them from other African countries, while acknowledging that unemployment, service delivery pressures and undocumented migration have contributed to tensions in some communities.
Lamola said reforms are underway through a revised migration framework, strengthened border management systems and the work of the Border Management Authority, which it says has deported about 500 000 undocumented persons since April 2023.
“The continent’s migration challenges need to shift from apportioning blame to practical solutions based on burden-sharing,” the statement said.
This comes as the South African Cabinet approved the revised White Paper on Citizenship, Immigration and Refugee Protection in April 2026, aimed at overhauling the country’s immigration system, tightening border controls and curbing illegal immigration.
The proposed reforms include the introduction of stricter “First Safe Country” principles, a more merit-based immigration framework, and tighter regulations governing citizenship processes.
Commenting on the policy shift, Senior Associates in Employment and Immigration Law at Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr, Lee Masuku and Taryn York, said the reforms should not be viewed as an attempt to “close South Africa”, but rather as an effort to reassert regulatory control through law, planning and systems.
They added that the key test would lie in implementation, saying the effectiveness of the policy would depend on whether the state can enforce it “lawfully, consistently and humanely at scale.”
Earlier in the week, residents in parts of Durban and Gauteng staged demonstrations calling for stronger government action on illegal immigration, drug-related concerns, and community safety.
In Durban, public figures including Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, Ngizwe Mchunu, and Xolani Kumalo addressed gatherings highlighting concerns over immigration pressures, drug activity, and strain on local services.
While some political groups criticised elements of the messaging, authorities said the demonstrations were largely peaceful with no major incidents of violence.
The events have contributed to ongoing national discussions on immigration enforcement, public safety, and economic pressure, with government pointing to continued policy and border management interventions.
Saturday Star