South Africa entered June 30 under heavy police deployment, as anti-immigrant groups set today as an unofficial deadline for all undocumented foreign nationals to leave the country.
Local media reported that shops were shuttered and streets in Johannesburg stayed unusually quiet on Tuesday morning as residents braced for possible unrest.
In Durban, protesters in Zulu attire gathered with sticks and shields, chanting “abahambe,” meaning “let them go.” One demonstrator, 64-year-old Selwyn Anderson, told AFP, “I travelled a bit in Africa. All these countries are messed up and South Africa is the America of Africa,” adding that undocumented foreigners had taken over many small businesses.
Thousands of migrants, mostly from Malawi and Zimbabwe, gathered at consulates and bus stations in Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Durban, waiting to be evacuated. Malawian builder Peter Madsoan, 45, said, “I am a breadwinner back at home in Malawi. It is better for me to go than to die in South Africa.” Uganda announced an evacuation plan for nearly 750 of its citizens over the coming days.
At least two Mozambicans, one Ethiopian, and one Malawian have been killed in anti-immigrant violence in recent weeks. The current unrest is being compared to July 2021, when around 350 people died in riots following the jailing of former president Jacob Zuma, and to 2008, when 62 people were killed in earlier xenophobic violence. President Cyril Ramaphosa has ordered increased security and called on traditional leaders to help calm tensions.
Big Joe shot dead in Witbank
Meanwhile, a Nigerian businessman known as Big Joe was shot dead outside his shop in Witbank, Emalahleni, in Mpumalanga Province, on Sunday, June 28. Reports indicate unidentified gunmen allegedly opened fire on him multiple times before fleeing.
His close friend, musician Slamd D Emmanuel, announced the death on Instagram on Monday, June 29, writing, “I can’t believe that you are no more big Joe. RIP, brother.”
The circumstances of the killing remain unconfirmed publicly. Some Nigerians online questioned whether the shooting was connected to the xenophobic tensions or was a separate, targeted attack that was taking advantage of the unrest.
One X user, @Emetex15, pointed to a different case, a suspected rhino poaching figure also known as “Big Joe” who was shot in Mpumalanga in May, and suggested the two stories may be getting mixed up online. However, Nno official confirmation has linked the businessman’s death directly to the anti-immigrant protests.
Reactions among Nigerians have ranged from grief to anger to calls for caution. On Instagram, user Sircharlescharles wrote, “As a Nigerian this doesn’t feel like the anti immigrants protest. This looks like a hit.” Another user, Justt.kemzy said, “They wasted this innocent, hard-working man’s life. South Africa is going to regret this.”
On X, reactions were more pointed. @herrval1 wrote, “President Ramaphosa should be held responsible for this. He is supporting the xenophobes.” @HWenner96308 raised concern about government inaction, stating, “I am very sure, Nigerian government won’t do anything about this,” and warned that more Nigerians could be at risk if they don’t evacuate affected areas. @Mo_Wumi urged caution directly, writing, “Nigerians, please protect yourselves and stay safe at home… Please lock your businesses for now.”
Not all reactions framed the killing as xenophobic. @Mphumeleli8893 argued, “Nothing new here, even white business have been assassinated, everyone has been affected by this crime,” while @Dr_Mind01 suggested, “This is beginning to look like a well calculated crime under the guise of xenophobia.”
As of Tuesday afternoon, South African authorities have not released an official statement confirming the motive behind Big Joe’s killing, and the security situation around to today’s deadline remains tense.
