JOHANNESBURG, Gauteng — Civil rights advocates and coalition leaders under the banner of Operation Ubuntu have strongly criticized the police response to vigilante groups, condemning law enforcement for failing to take decisive, sustained action against unlawful mobs targeting foreign nationals. The widespread mobilization highlights growing concerns over xenophobia and the urgent need for stronger protection for vulnerable communities across the country.
Coordinated across Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban, the protests united more than 60 civil society organizations demanding an immediate halt to violence against migrants. Gauteng organiser General Moyo stated that the coalition is calling for comprehensive safeguards for marginalized groups. As part of the campaign, organizers plan to hand over a formal memorandum to Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, in which they demand an end to both xenophobic attacks and forced evictions.
Dano De Waal, President of the African Inclusion Coalition, provided critical context to the mobilization, pointing out severe flaws in how authorities handle the ongoing crisis. De Waal noted that while police have reportedly spent over 600 million rand containing xenophobic violence, officers are often seen merely escorting vigilantes rather than intervening to stop harassment, brutality, and property damage.
Furthermore, De Waal disputed official claims of “voluntary repatriation,” asserting that over 160,000 individuals have been forcefully removed from the country. He described the conditions at government repatriation sites as lacking basic human dignity, noting that vigilantes are unlawfully issuing “due dates” for migrants to leave, further stripping them of their rights. The protests also specifically target the newly proposed amendment to the Prevention of Illegal Eviction (PI) Act and the aggressive chasing of foreign nationals out of inner-city buildings in Johannesburg and surrounding areas.
Addressing arguments from anti-immigration protest groups who claim their movements are not inherently xenophobic but rather driven by socioeconomic frustrations, De Waal firmly rejected the narrative. He argued that blaming foreign nationals—who make up less than 4% of the population—for South Africa’s systemic failures is a misdirected scapegoating tactic based on debunked social media claims.
While acknowledging the deep and valid frustrations of the working class regarding the failure of public systems, De Waal insisted that accountability should be directed at the leaders and institutions responsible for the country’s challenges, rather than its most vulnerable and under-resourced residents.
Looking ahead, the coalition’s policy demands focus heavily on constitutional adherence rather than restrictive new laws. De Waal highlighted the urgent need to reject the proposed PI amendment bill and reiterated that South Africa’s Constitution prohibits turning away refugees fleeing unsafe or demoralizing conditions. Ultimately, the movement is calling for strict legal consequences for those who threaten lives and violate the constitutional right to human dignity, regardless of an individual’s documentation status.
