The leader of the ongoing protests against illegal immigration in South Africa has firmly dismissed accusations of xenophobia, emphasizing that their campaign targets undocumented migrants rather than legally residing foreign nationals.
In a recent interview on a local TV station, protest leader Ngizwe Mchunu clarified that the movement has been mischaracterized as fueled by animosity towards foreigners. He stressed that the protesters are advocating for the enforcement of immigration laws.
“This isn’t about xenophobia or Afrophobia. The protests respond directly to illegal immigration, not to people from other African nations. There’s no xenophobic agenda here. Let’s not politicize this peaceful protest against individuals who lack legal status in the country,” Mchunu articulated.
Since their inception in March 2025, these demonstrations have captured significant attention throughout Africa, igniting discussions on migration, border security, and the treatment of foreign nationals in South Africa.
Mchunu pointed out that the current protests draw inspiration from earlier demonstrations in 2004 and 2015, which he feels were also misinterpreted.
“In 2004, we witnessed a similar protest that was labeled xenophobic. Then, in 2015, another protest arose after comments from the King of the Zulu people regarding illegal immigrants,” he recalled.
He noted that the current campaign began as a peaceful march against illegal immigration and has since garnered nationwide support.
“When Jacinda initiated the march in March 2025, I joined her, and together we became the driving force mobilizing South Africans to peacefully march against illegal immigrants,” he shared.
Mchunu reiterated that their movement does not oppose legal immigrants or diplomatic relations with other African nations.
“If there were any xenophobic sentiments during the recent visit of the Kenyan President to South Africa, we would have seen protests against him. That simply didn’t happen,” Mchunu remarked.
He also referenced South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s recent visit to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) as further evidence that the protesters do not harbor animosity towards fellow Africans.
“Today, our president visited the DRC, and we fully support that,” he added.
Instead, Mchunu contended that undocumented migrants who engage in criminal activities should return to their home countries, secure proper documentation, and re-enter South Africa legally.
“Some individuals are committing crimes, so they should return home, get documented, and then we can engage in international relations peacefully,” he said.
The protests have rekindled a broader conversation regarding illegal immigration, public safety, and border management in South Africa, prompting rights groups to express concerns about the potential repercussions for foreign nationals.
While organizers maintain that the demonstrations are peaceful and focused solely on undocumented migrants, critics caution that anti-immigration rhetoric can foster hostility toward foreigners, irrespective of their legal status.
As the protests persist, South Africa faces increasing pressure to strike a balance between enforcing immigration laws and safeguarding the rights and safety of everyone residing within its borders.
