South Africa's anti-migrant protests build ahead of local elections

On June 8, 2026, hundreds of anti-migrant protesters marched in a township near Johannesburg, led by Phakela Ndabandaba, who is emerging as the face of a growing protest movement ahead of November local elections. Citizen groups accuse undocumented foreigners of taking scarce jobs and resources amid official unemployment above 30%. Tensions have led to the killings of two Mozambicans, and nationals from Malawi, Mozambique, and Ghana have been repatriated by their governments.