South African Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi has alleged that foreign entities, specifically pointing to Israel, are involved in stoking recent anti-migrant unrest across the country. These allegations follow a series of nationwide demonstrations organised by the ‘March and March’ movement, which culminated in protests in major centres including Johannesburg, Durban, and Cape Town on 30 June 2026.
Official Stance On Civil Unrest
While the government has moved to address public concerns regarding migration, officials have consistently stressed that citizens do not possess the legal authority to enforce immigration protocols. Speaking on the conduct of protestors, Vincent Magwenya, spokesman for President Cyril Ramaphosa, stated: “The right to protest is coupled with the responsibility to observe the law and to protest peacefully.”
Context Of Domestic Migration Tensions
The protests were driven by demands for the removal of undocumented foreign nationals, with organisers issuing an unofficial 30 June deadline for businesses to terminate foreign employees. Political analysts continue to investigate the nature of the ‘March and March’ movement, with some reports linking the campaign to domestic political networks, including associates of former President Jacob Zuma. The government maintains that its comprehensive approach to managing migration, introduced by President Ramaphosa on 7 June 2026, is the only legitimate pathway for reform.
Further developments are expected as the Inter-Ministerial Committee on migration continues to monitor reports of external influence and evaluates the security implications of the recent unrest.