A COALITION of migrant rights organisations and civil society groups has petitioned the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), urging urgent intervention against a growing wave of xenophobic vigilantism targeting foreign nationals in some parts of South Africa.
The appeal comes amid renewed tensions over migration, unemployment and service delivery in South Africa, where anti-migrant groups have increasingly sought to take immigration enforcement into their own hands. Rights groups warn that such actions threaten constitutional protections, risk fuelling violence and can trigger displacement of vulnerable communities.
Operating under the banner Global South Against Xenophobia (GSAX), the coalition warns that reported intimidation, forced displacement and anti-migrant mobilisation by vigilante groups are deepening social tensions and undermining the rule of law.
In an open letter addressed to SAHRC commissioners, including chairperson Chris Nissen and commissioner Arthur Gungubele, the coalition argued that recent actions attributed to anti-migrant groups violate constitutional guarantees of equality, dignity, security and freedom of movement.
The petition, endorsed by organisations including the Zimbabwe Exiles Forum (ZEF) and the Botshabelo Unemployed Movement (BUM), alleges that groups such as Operation Dudula and March on March have engaged in unlawful actions against foreign nationals.
According to the coalition, some communities have reportedly witnessed threats and attempts to remove migrants from residential areas.
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The letter cites reports that foreign nationals in areas including Springs and Pretoria West were allegedly given deadlines to leave their communities by mid-June, while others in Hammanskraal and parts of the Free State were reportedly instructed to leave immediately.
“If substantiated, these actions amount to a campaign of intimidation directed at persons based on nationality, ethnicity or perceived foreign status,” the coalition said.
GSAX argues that such conduct, if confirmed, could violate both South African law and international human rights obligations, including the 1951 Refugee Convention, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
The coalition also expressed concern over what it described as an inadequate response from law enforcement authorities to reports of intimidation and violence.
It warned that perceived inaction could erode confidence in the State's ability to uphold the rule of law and protect vulnerable communities.
Among its recommendations, GSAX urged SAHRC to publicly condemn xenophobic vigilantism, convene emergency hearings and strengthen monitoring mechanisms for xenophobia-related incidents.
The coalition also called for urgent intervention by the South African Police Service to protect affected communities and investigate allegations of intimidation and incitement.
It further urged engagement with Parliament and the Department of Home Affairs to address broader migration management challenges.
“The urgency of this matter cannot be overstated. The physical and psychological safety of thousands depends on swift and decisive action,” the letter stated.
The coalition also wants the matter referred to regional and international human rights bodies, including the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights and relevant United Nations special rapporteurs.
At the time of publication, SAHRC had not publicly responded to the petition.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has since condemned vigilante activities, describing them as unlawful and inconsistent with human rights principles.
Separately, South African human rights advocacy organisation The Fruit Basket (TFB) said it was deeply concerned by what it described as a continuing wave of anti-migrant unrest affecting multiple provinces.
In a statement, TFB said migrants, refugees and asylum seekers — particularly black African nationals from countries including Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia, Nigeria and Ethiopia — continue to face harassment, intimidation, displacement and physical attacks.
The organisation said the unrest, which reportedly intensified in April 2026, affected provinces including Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Free State, Eastern Cape, Western Cape, North West, Limpopo and Mpumalanga.
TFB also raised concern over reports of police brutality, corruption, unlawful document inspection, extortion, denial of healthcare services and barriers to access public institutions.
The organisation expressed concern over what it described as the involvement of some government officials and institutions in denying migrants and asylum seekers access to basic rights and services.
“Migrants have repeatedly been scapegoated for broader social and economic crises rooted in inequality, unemployment and structural governance failures,” TFB said.