Machete-wielding gangs have launched a series of attacks on migrant communities in South Africa, prompting the United Kingdom to call on the government of Cyril Ramaphosa to restore order. The violence, concentrated in the township of Alexandra near Johannesburg, has left at least five dead and dozens injured since Sunday. Witnesses report groups of men armed with machetes, knives, and clubs moving through the streets, targeting shops and homes owned by foreign nationals, many of whom are from Zimbabwe, Somalia, and Bangladesh.
The attacks mark the latest eruption of xenophobic violence in a country where competition for jobs and resources has fuelled hostility towards migrants. South Africa has one of the highest unemployment rates in the world, currently standing at 32.9 per cent. This has created a fertile ground for populist politicians who blame migrants for crime and economic stagnation. The UK Foreign Office issued a statement on Tuesday urging the South African authorities “to take immediate steps to protect vulnerable communities and bring those responsible to justice.” It also expressed “solidarity with all those affected by these appalling acts of violence.”
The violence in Alexandra began after a rumour circulated on social media that a foreign national had been involved in a drug-related murder. Local vigilantes quickly formed patrols, which escalated into systematic attacks. Footage verified by this correspondent shows men in balaclavas smashing windows and setting fire to vehicles. Police have arrested 23 suspects, but residents complain that officers stood by as the attacks unfolded. Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, a national police spokesperson, said that “additional units have been deployed to Alexandra to stabilise the situation.”
The crisis poses a serious test for the Ramaphosa administration, which has struggled to assert control over law enforcement. South Africa has one of the highest murder rates in the world, and the police are frequently criticised for being under-resourced and corrupt. The attacks also have diplomatic implications. Nigeria, whose nationals have been targeted in past waves of violence, recalled its ambassador in 2019. Other African nations have similarly condemned the attacks.
The UK’s intervention is notable for its directness. Historically, London has been cautious in criticising Pretoria, given the two countries’ strong trade ties and shared Commonwealth membership. But the escalating violence has forced a shift in tone. A source at the Foreign Office told this correspondent that “the situation is unacceptable. We are ready to offer technical assistance to help South Africa crack down on these vigilante groups.”
Rights groups have also urged Pretoria to treat the attacks as a matter of national security. The Human Rights Foundation accused the government of “a failure of political will,” noting that similar attacks in 2008 and 2015 went largely unpunished. “Without accountability, these cycles of violence will continue,” the group said in a statement.
The immediate challenge for the South African police is to restore a sense of security in affected areas. Many migrants have fled their homes, seeking refuge in community halls or returning to their countries of origin. The longer-term question is whether Pretoria can address the underlying socioeconomic grievances that make migrants a convenient scapegoat. As one community leader in Alexandra put it: “The government must bring jobs and justice. If not, this will happen again.”
