SA moves to quell fallout from anti-immigrant protests

South Africa’s foreign ministry is stepping up diplomatic efforts to quell growing concern on the continent about rising anti-immigrant sentiment in the country.

Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola said on Tuesday that he has held talks with his counterparts in Nigeria and Ghana, after the authorities in both countries said they had summoned South African envoys over attacks on their citizens.

This is as some lawmakers in the Nigerian Senate called on the government to revoke the licence of MTN Nigeria Communications plc in retaliation over the attacks.

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The senate should consider adopting a position to nationalise MTN and withdraw its licence, Adams Oshiomhole, a senator and former governor of Edo state in southern Nigeria, said on Tuesday, accusing the South African company of repatriating millions of dollars in profits daily.

Lawmakers did not adopt his proposal but instead set up an ad hoc committee to engage with their South African counterparts.

Separately, President Cyril Ramaphosa was scheduled to meet his Mozambican counterpart, Daniel Chapo, later on Tuesday to discuss the issue.

Anti-immigrant protests in South Africa in recent weeks have revived concerns about xenophobic violence in the country, where migrants are targeted in a climate of high unemployment and overstretched basic services.

In 2008, about 60 people died and 50 000 were displaced in a wave of anti-immigrant attacks.

Last week, a movement known as March and March held protests against illegal immigration in the capital, Pretoria, and the commercial hub of Johannesburg.

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“We condemn any violence that comes with these marches,” Lamola told reporters in Pretoria on Tuesday.

“It is un-South African to commit violence in the name of enforcing the law. In fact, it’s mob justice; it’s vigilantism.”

The protests come at a sensitive time for South Africa, which currently holds the interim chair of the Southern African Development Community – a 15-nation economic bloc – placing added pressure on the government to demonstrate stability and leadership within the region.

The United Nations last week condemned xenophobic attacks, as well as the harassment and intimidation of foreign nationals in South Africa.

Secretary-General António Guterres called for calm and urged the authorities to protect all residents regardless of their nationality, according to a statement issued by his spokesperson.

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The issue also risks economic consequences.

South Africa’s Cross-Border Road Transport Agency warned on Monday of possible counter-protest action in neighbouring Mozambique that may affect traffic between the two countries and operations at the Lebombo and Kosi Bay borders.

“Reports indicate that these imminent protest actions may restrict the free movement of South Africans and South African registered vehicles into Mozambique as a retaliatory measure following protest actions which have recently taken place in various parts of South Africa,” it said in a statement posted on X.

Mineral exports

Maputo is a key export hub for South Africa’s chrome producers and is also used for some coal exports, as well as magnetite – a form of iron ore.

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The Lebombo corridor handles almost 1 500 heavy-goods vehicles a day, Business Unity South Africa data shows. An average of 1 000 trucks arrive at the port of Maputo from across the border daily, according to the company that operates the harbour.

South Africa is the continent’s biggest economy, and although its 31.4% unemployment rate is among the highest globally, it still offers stronger economic prospects, broader social services and more developed infrastructure than many of its neighbours.

The country is seeking a more coordinated approach to migration management across the continent, Lamola said.

South Africa’s foreign affairs minister, Ronald Lamola, on his engagements with his Nigeria and Ghana counterparts addressing anti-immigrant events in the country in recent weeks. pic.twitter.com/0Ab9ikwLVT

— Ntando Thukwana (@NtandoThukwana) May 5, 2026

“It becomes very important for South Africa to find a long-lasting solution on the issue of irregular migration, but also for our counterparts across the continent to also share this responsibility with us,” he said.

South Africa’s census showed the country of 62 million people has about 2.4 million immigrants. There are about two million undocumented migrants in the country, according to the Pretoria-based Institute for Security Studies.

© 2026 Bloomberg

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