Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni has described the ongoing March and March-led protests against illegal immigration as both a national security threat and a serious reputational risk to South Africa. Speaking during a post-Cabinet briefing on May 7, 2026, Ntshavheni acknowledged the constitutional right of citizens to raise concerns about undocumented migrants but strongly condemned any associated violence, vigilantism, or attempts to destabilise the country.
Ntshavheni stated that the protests, which have taken place in cities including Durban, Johannesburg, and Pretoria, are being exploited by forces seeking to incite instability. “It’s both a national security and a reputational issue,” she said. She highlighted how residents of countries whose nationals have been affected are now speaking out against South Africa, potentially harming the country’s standing on the continent and internationally.
The minister emphasised that while genuine socio-economic concerns such as high unemployment and limited economic opportunities exist, opportunistic elements are using these issues to mobilise communities for broader destabilisation. She referred to “consistent attempts to mobilise an uprising in the country,” noting that minor issues are often amplified for this purpose. “They have failed and they will fail again in this instance,” Ntshavheni added.
Cabinet has reaffirmed that law enforcement agencies must act decisively against violence, attacks on foreign nationals, and any form of lawlessness. The government condemned the circulation of fake videos and misinformation that purport to show attacks on foreigners, describing these as deliberate attempts to inflame tensions and damage South Africa’s image. Crime intelligence and police are closely monitoring the situation, with particular attention to elements that may carry ethnic or tribal undertones.
The protests, led by groups such as March and March, Operation Dudula, and associated traditional regiments, have involved marches, clean-up operations, and demands for stricter border control and mass deportations of undocumented foreigners. Participants have raised issues of crime, unregulated trading, and competition for resources in townships and urban areas. Some demonstrations have seen confrontations and citizen arrests, prompting diplomatic concerns from countries like Ghana and Nigeria.
Ntshavheni stressed that legitimate concerns about irregular migration should be channelled through proper law enforcement mechanisms rather than vigilante actions. The government maintains that South Africans are not inherently xenophobic but that criminal elements within and outside the protests must be isolated and prosecuted. President Cyril Ramaphosa has also engaged with regional counterparts, such as Mozambican President Daniel Chapo, to address underlying migration drivers collaboratively.
This latest government position comes amid heightened regional tensions and calls for African Union scrutiny. It underscores the delicate balance authorities face between upholding freedom of expression and protest rights while preventing outbreaks of violence similar to past xenophobic incidents. Further monitoring and enforcement actions are expected as protests continue in various parts of the country.
