Key facts
- Thousands of foreign Africans are reportedly heading home or seeking refuge in camps due to fear of attacks.
- Anti-immigrant groups claim illegal immigrants are responsible for taking jobs, straining public services, and contributing to high crime rates.
- Recent surveys show a significant increase in anti-immigrant sentiment, with a majority of South Africans viewing immigrants' economic impact negatively.
- Official statistics indicate migrants comprise approximately 4.1% of South Africa's population, a figure lower than a decade ago and below international averages.
- Evidence suggests immigrants are largely law-abiding, with their primary offenses often related to immigration violations.
- A World Bank report found that employed migrants create approximately two jobs for South Africans through their economic activities.
- Underinvestment and corruption are identified as the main drivers of South Africa's struggling public services, rather than immigrant usage.
- High unemployment rates and historical labor policies contribute to xenophobia, with politicians sometimes exploiting these sentiments.
Protests targeting undocumented foreigners are escalating in South Africa, with organizers demanding their departure by Tuesday. Thousands of foreign nationals are reportedly fleeing or seeking shelter amid fears of violence, though the organizing group, March and March, claims peaceful intentions.
Anti-foreigner groups cite concerns that illegal immigrants are taking jobs, straining public services, and contributing to high crime rates. Musa Hlongwa, president of the civil group United South Africa, specifically mentioned competition for jobs and services, and alleged drug-dealing by Nigerians.
Recent surveys indicate a significant rise in anti-immigrant sentiment. A Human Sciences Research Council poll found only one in six South African adults would welcome all foreigners, while 42% would welcome none. An Afrobarometer survey revealed seven out of ten South Africans perceive immigrants' economic impact as negative, with 85% advocating for reduced or halted refugee intake. Ipsos data showed nearly three-quarters of respondents did not trust African immigrants at all.
However, official statistics from StatsSA show that migrants constitute about 4.1% of South Africa's population, a decrease from 5.6% a decade ago and low by international standards. Campaigners argue these figures do not capture undocumented arrivals, but StatsSA's census data is designed to include them. Anthony Kaziboni, a researcher at the University of Johannesburg, stated that data contradicts the impression of overwhelming numbers of immigrants.
Regarding crime, police do not release data on the nationalities of convicts. However, 2017 justice department figures showed foreigners comprised about 6% of the prison population, with a fraction imprisoned for illegal entry. Loren B. Landau, a Professor at the University of Oxford, suggests immigrants are disproportionately law-abiding, with most offenses being immigration violations.
The World Bank reported in 2018 that for every employed migrant, approximately two jobs are created for South Africans due to migrant spending on local goods and services. Lauren Gilbert of GeoQuant noted that increased customer bases for businesses like restaurants benefit locals.
Undocumented migrants are unlikely to utilize public hospitals or schools due to fear of detection, according to Kaziboni. Economists attribute the strain on health and education services to chronic underinvestment and corruption, not immigrant usage. Kaziboni highlighted that 1.5 trillion rand was lost to corruption during former president Jacob Zuma's tenure.
Experts suggest historical policies that used migrant labor to suppress wages, coupled with South Africa's high unemployment rate (around one-third of the population) and poor service delivery, fuel anger that is easily directed at migrants. Politicians are also noted to stoke these sentiments, particularly around election periods.