Legal experts have warned that rising anti-immigrant sentiment in South Africa could trigger a diplomatic fallout and possible isolation from fellow African nations for Pretoria.
This follows growing concerns over xenophobia and state inaction as mobs of South African vigilante groups target black immigrants in that country.
They accuse other black nationals of stealing their jobs and women.
Last week, Ghana summoned South Africa’s ambassador in Accra to protest alleged attacks on its nationals, signaling escalating continental tensions.
Gabriel Shumba, legal director of Global Immigration and Legal Consultancy (GILC), said the current trajectory threatens both social cohesion and regional stability.
“This conspiracy to decimate and divide black people in South Africa will not end with AFrophobia,” said Shumba, a Zimbabwean based in South Africa.
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“It will escalate—from targeting Zimbabweans to other Africans, then to tribal divisions, and ultimately racial tensions of a catastrophic scale.”
He warned of a potential catastrophe if there is no possible action against the vigilante groups.
“We are staring at the making of a genocide. Unfortunately, the state is either in collusion or unwilling to act,” Shumba said.
United Nations secretary-general António Guterres on Tuesday expressed deep concern over reports of xenophobic violence in parts of South Africa, particularly in KwaZulu-Natal.
According to UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric, Guterres strongly condemned the recent violence and intimidation targeting migrants and foreign nationals in KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape.
Shumba urged Sadc and the African Union to intervene under the “Responsibility to Protect” doctrine, cautioning that continued inaction may provoke retaliatory measures by affected countries.
The concerns follow a viral video allegedly showing members of an anti-immigration group assaulting a man suspected of being undocumented.
Build One South Africa (Bosa) leader Mmusi Maimane condemned the incident, insisting that immigration enforcement remains the sole responsibility of state institutions.
“If you are opposed to a crime, you do not become a criminal to solve the problem,” Maimane said, calling on President Cyril Ramaphosa to intervene.
Meanwhile, KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi is set to meet civic groups accused of confronting foreign nationals after emphasising that no civilian group has authority to enforce immigration laws.
Analysts link the rising anti-immigrant mood to South Africa’s high unemployment and crime rates.
However, rights groups caution that foreign nationals are frequently scapegoated, leading to indiscriminate attacks.
Worse still, vigilante groups calling themselves the Concerned Citizens of South Africa have announced a shutdown in May to “chase away” foreign nationals, whom they accuse of taking jobs and committing crimes.
Shumba noted: “This is tragic. It separates sister from sister; brother from brother. African countries must speak with one voice to preserve unity and humanity.”
Observers warned that failure to contain xenophobia could strain diplomatic ties, weaken regional cooperation, and damage South Africa’s standing within continental institutions.