Anti-immigrant shutdown call renews fears in South Africa

An anti-immigrant group's latest shutdown call in South Africa has renewed fears among migrant communities. The protests were largely confined to Durban on September 30, while bad weather kept demonstrators away in Pretoria. It was the second unofficial shutdown called by 'March and March' in three months.

The nationalist group has urged undocumented foreign nationals to leave South Africa despite ongoing repatriations. Head of Partnerships, Southern Africa Network for Immigrants and Refugees, Claude Kayitare, says fear is keeping some migrants off the streets and affecting their ability to work and support their families. Mametlwe Sebei, coordinator at Siyafana Sonke Action Campaign Against Xenophobia, says more than 80 Ethiopian traders were recently displaced from Witbank after their shops were looted and some were assaulted.

South Africa has warned against the intimidation and harassment of foreign nationals while stepping up measures against irregular migration. However, for many migrants, returning home is not an option. Kayitare says some fled insecurity or poverty and cannot afford to leave, leaving them uncertain about what comes next.