Protesters in South Africa’s major urban centres clashed with police on Tuesday as anti-migrant sentiment boiled over into violence. In Pretoria, Johannesburg, and Durban, crowds blocked roads and set fire to shops, blaming foreign nationals for rising crime and unemployment. At least four people have been reported injured, and several vehicles were torched. Police fired rubber bullets and water cannon to disperse the crowds.
In a separate development, a delegation from the UK Border Force arrived in Pretoria for a scheduled three-day workshop on border management. The visit, described by the Home Office as an exchange of “best practices,” comes as the government of President Cyril Ramaphosa faces growing pressure to crack down on illegal immigration. The UK team includes specialists in biometric screening and deterrence operations.
South Africa’s handling of migration has come under scrutiny from human rights groups, who have accused authorities of failing to protect non-citizens from vigilante attacks. The UK’s involvement has also drawn criticism; the High Commissioner in Pretoria issued a statement stressing that the mission is purely technical and “not an endorsement of any particular policy stance.”
The protests were triggered by claims that foreign workers are taking jobs that should go to South Africans. Unemployment in the country stands at 32.9%, one of the highest in the world. Social media posts calling for action against migrants have circulated widely in recent weeks, fuelled by populist political rhetoric.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government has adopted a more restrictive approach to asylum claims since taking office, but officials deny any attempt to export UK policy. “We are here to share expertise on systems and procedures,” the head of the UK delegation told reporters. “Each country’s circumstances are unique.”
The workshop is scheduled to conclude on Thursday. The question of whether the UK will offer direct financial assistance to South Africa for border enforcement remains unconfirmed.
