A church with a predominantly Malawian congregation was destroyed by fire on the morning of Thursday, 2 July 2026, as hundreds of immigrant families were forcibly removed from their homes in Kuyga and Greenbushes, Gqeberha. The escalation followed a community meeting on 1 July, where residents accused immigrants of the illegal occupation of land, leading to widespread looting and the ransacking of private properties.
Official Response And Security Deployment
The South African Police Service (SAPS) has confirmed that investigations into the instigators of the violence are currently underway in the Kabega Park area. Captain Sandra Janse van Rensburg, a SAPS spokesperson, stated during a media engagement that the police are not involved in evictions and are focused on obtaining statements to identify those responsible for inciting the community.
The South African Police Service in Kabega Park confirms that there are current tensions in the Greenbushes area. SAPS wishes to clarify that it is not evicting any residents from their homes. SAPS is obtaining statements as part of its investigation to identify the individual or individuals allegedly instigating members of the community.
In a broader effort to restore order, President Cyril Ramaphosa has approved the deployment of over 3,000 soldiers to remain in affected areas until the end of July 2026. Data from the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality indicates that authorities have already assisted in the repatriation of nearly 400 Zimbabwean nationals due to the ongoing climate of intimidation.
Community Impact And Broader Displacement
Affected individuals reported that opportunistic criminal elements used the local land disputes as a pretext to loot household valuables. Residents described witnessing individuals removing property from homes, with stolen items allegedly being sold at local scrap yards.
I found nothing except ashes and burnt zinc sheets. I saw youths pushing wheelbarrows full of stolen valuables to sell at local scrap yards.
The incident reflects a growing pattern of anti-immigrant sentiment across South Africa, often exacerbated by the circulation of false deadlines regarding the legal status of foreign nationals. Thousands of migrants have since sought refuge in police stations and community centres, with local authorities expected to coordinate further humanitarian support as the military deployment takes hold.