Why immigrants are leaving South Africa as country is on edge ahead of June 30 deadline

CAPE TOWN, South Africa — Thousands of African immigrants are leaving South Africa because of a rise in anti-migration anger that sparked attacks against foreigners.The attacks have coincided with a series of protests and marches in recent months by anti-immigration groups, who have set what they are calling a June 30 deadline for people in the country illegally to leave and the government to take action against what they say is a growing problem of illegal immigration in Africa’s biggest economy.The groups threatened a “national shutdown” if that doesn’t happen.South African authorities are on high alert, the police minister said, with the anti-immigration groups planning more major protests on the deadline day.Meanwhile, thousands of immigrants have gathered in temporary shelters, near embassies and elsewhere citing fear of attacks.Some countries have begun repatriating citizens while criticizing South Africa for what they call a climate of xenophobia.There have been a series of anti-immigration protestsAnti-immigration protests in several major cities have put the issue at the top of national politics since March.

The protest groups have blamed immigrants without evidence for South Africa’s high unemployment, public service failures and crime.South African President Cyril Ramaphosa gave a speech on national television earlier this month in an attempt to defuse tensions.He has said some of the protest groups are exploiting the issue to advance their own political agendas and “illegal immigration is not the cause of our social and economic difficulties.”But Ramaphosa also conceded that there had been failures in South Africa’s border control.As one of Africa’s richer countries, South Africa has long attracted migrants from elsewhere in Africa seeking a better life.

The latest census figures from 2022 show there were 2.4 million foreign nationals who had immigrated in South Africa’s population of 62 million — less than 4% of the po...