South African authorities have arrested about 80 suspected members of vigilante groups allegedly involved in xenophobic attacks and other criminal acts targeting migrants, as the government intensifies efforts to restore order and prosecute those responsible.
The arrests form part of a broader crackdown on unlawful anti-immigrant activities that have escalated in recent weeks, particularly in parts of Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal provinces. The South African government has repeatedly condemned vigilante groups accused of carrying out illegal identity checks, intimidation, assaults and forced evictions of foreign nationals.
Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi, who chairs the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Migration, said the government would not tolerate individuals or groups taking the law into their own hands under the guise of enforcing immigration laws.
She stressed that immigration enforcement remains the exclusive responsibility of the state and warned that anyone involved in intimidation, discrimination, public violence or unlawful removals of migrants would face prosecution.
The arrests come amid a wave of anti-migrant protests that have swept parts of South Africa, with some demonstrations turning violent. Authorities said those arrested are facing a range of allegations, including public violence, intimidation and offences linked to xenophobic attacks.
The recent unrest has strained diplomatic relations with several African countries, including Nigeria. The Nigerian government has urged South Africa to intensify efforts to curb xenophobic violence and ensure the safety of Nigerians and other foreign nationals residing legally in the country.
During bilateral talks in Abuja, South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, reaffirmed his country’s opposition to xenophobia and pledged that those responsible for attacks would be brought to justice through the legal system.
South African police have also stepped up broader law enforcement operations targeting immigration-related offences. The South African Police Service (SAPS) said recent nationwide operations resulted in thousands of arrests for immigration violations and other crimes, while emphasizing that illegal immigration must be addressed through lawful policing rather than vigilante action.
Human rights organisations have welcomed the government’s commitment to prosecute perpetrators of xenophobic violence but continue to express concern over attacks on migrants, warning that many victims are legally resident in South Africa and should not be subjected to harassment or collective punishment.
The government has reiterated that while communities have the right to raise concerns about illegal immigration, all allegations must be handled by law enforcement agencies and the courts, not through mob action or vigilantism.
