Police in South Africa are conducting immigration checks targeting suspected undocumented foreigners, leading to detentions and business closures in Durban amid rising unrest and tensions over crime, jobs, and migration.
Al Jazeera’s Haru Mutasa reports.
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#SouthAfrica #Durban #ImmigrationCrisis #PoliceChecks #ForeignNationals #Xenophobia #MigrationIssues #Ethiopia #BusinessClosures #SocialUnrest #AlJazeeraEnglish
Animals
They all have their own country they must go back
Durban police know we're illegal immigrants stay they take bribe
This South African Youth won't find work to do but always attacking their fellow African brothers who are really working hard to make ends meet. Alcoholism and laziness is what is pushing them to be xenophobic.
How come government could not deal with this by enforcing law earlier? Because government is composed of the very people who take bribes at home affairs, the police, etc
Why would i never show my id to a stranger
90% of the prison population is native, how come the immigrants bring criminality , it’s just afrophobia, they are not targeting Chinese or other immigrants; black south africans are lazy and drunkards, businesses owners do not want to hire them, that’s the hard truth the media would not say.
God bless African 🤍🤍🤍 except South Africa 🇿🇦🖕
You are destroying the name of your country to the outside world. So shameful
Imagine fighting immigration and targeting business owners 🥴 aren’t business owners the most productive immigrant? They come to your country and create local jobs
May we suggest you a solution that might soften the heart of Africans?
1. Take all those criminals: murderors, beaters, looters to the court beginning from the past times at any cost. Not only this time.
2. Teach and warn citizens the power structure: Difference between government, vigilante groups, traditional groups, and individuals.
3. Admit that the governments of SAs are part of the problem. They neglected illegals from long time and more than that, they gave them trade licences and made them pay taxes as normal for long. Such long process challenge should be solved not suddenly, but through time . Probably evicting the recent comers in less than a year and completely cracking down on newcomers.
4. Compensate for any loss of their property and moral of all immigrants irrespective of their legality.
5. Feel black Africans as one nation facing similar challenge worldwide, as they are being evicted from Europe, US, Tunisia, etc.
6. Teach citizens that there are SAs abroad in same countries and others and that there is a back fire.
7. Stop discriminating black africans compared to others: Asians, Whites, etc. Avoid self hate.This doesnt mean hate others.
8. Keep in mind reciprocity is the character of humans especially during bad decisions. It doent mean that many Africans supported you during freedom and hence should live illegally. Love expects love in reprocity, abrupt hate.
9. Assign a trusted known person to apologize for what went wrong publicly. If this world cup didnt gove you a lesson, you ate done. Good Luck! I am from Ethiopia!🎉🎉.
May we suggest you a solution that might soften the heart of Africans?
1. Take all those criminals: murderors, beaters, looters to the court beginning from the past times at any cost. Not only this time.
2. Teach and warn citizens the power structure: Difference between government, vigilante groups, traditional groups, and individuals.
3. Admit that the governments of SAs are part of the problem. They neglected illegals from long time and more than that, they gave them trade licences and made them pay taxes as normal for long. Such long process challenge should be solved not suddenly, but through time . Probably evicting the recent comers in less than a year and completely cracking down on newcomers.
4. Compensate for any loss of their property and moral of all immigrants irrespective of their legality.
5. Feel black Africans as one nation facing similar challenge worldwide, as they are being evicted from Europe, US, Tunisia, etc.
6. Teach citizens that there are SAs abroad in same countries and others and that there is a back fire.
7. Stop discriminating black africans compared to others: Asians, Whites, etc. Avoid self hate.This doesnt mean hate others.
8. Keep in mind reciprocity is the character of humans especially during bad decisions. It doent mean that many Africans supported you during freedom and hence should live illegally. Love expects love in reprocity, not abrupt hate.
9. Assign a trusted known person/ politician/ to apologize for what went wrong publicly. If this world cup didn't give you important lesson, you are done. Good Luck! I am from Ethiopia!🎉🎉.
I LOVE AND HAVE SUPPORTED SOUTH AFRICA SINCE MY YOUTH AND IM 56 NOW, BUT THEY'RE STARTING TO SOUND LIKE NAZI'S HUNTING FOR JEWS!
Remembering African Solidarity: A Reflection on Xenophobia, History, and South Africa's Debt to the Continent
The images of displaced African migrants sleeping in open fields, huddled under blankets during the winter cold, waiting to be repatriated to their home countries, should trouble every South African. Women, children, and men forced into temporary camps represent more than a humanitarian crisis; they force us to confront difficult questions about who we are, where we come from, and whether we have forgotten our own history.
Many South Africans today express frustration over unemployment, poverty, crime, and the pressures placed on public services. These concerns are real and deserve serious attention. However, when anger is directed at vulnerable migrants and refugees, we risk repeating some of the same injustices that South Africans themselves once suffered under apartheid.
This is why many people ask: how different are xenophobic attacks from the discrimination and exclusion that defined apartheid? While the two are not identical in their origins or legal structures, both involve the targeting of people based on who they are and where they come from. Both deny individuals their dignity and humanity. Both create fear, division, and suffering.
What makes this particularly painful is the fact that South Africa's freedom was not achieved in isolation. During the darkest years of apartheid, countless South Africans fled persecution and sought refuge beyond the country's borders. Across Africa, nations opened their doors to those escaping racial oppression.
One of the most prominent figures to live in exile was Oliver Tambo. Following the banning of liberation movements in 1960, Tambo spent more than three decades outside South Africa, working tirelessly to build international support for the anti-apartheid struggle. Much of this work was carried out from Zambia and Tanzania, where he found support and protection.
Thabo Mbeki, who would later become South Africa's second democratic president, also spent years in exile, studying and working abroad while serving the African National Congress. Chris Hani, one of the most respected leaders of the liberation struggle, operated from countries such as Lesotho, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Anti-apartheid activists Ruth First and Joe Slovo lived in exile in Zambia and Mozambique. Internationally acclaimed artists such as Miriam Makeba and Hugh Masekela spent decades outside South Africa after being forced into exile by the apartheid government.
These individuals were not alone. Thousands of ordinary South Africans crossed borders into neighboring countries seeking safety, education, and opportunities denied to them at home. Students, workers, activists, and entire families found refuge throughout the continent.
Among the countries that played a crucial role was Zambia. Under the leadership of President Kenneth Kaunda, Zambia became one of the most important centers of the anti-apartheid movement. The ANC established its headquarters in Lusaka, and Zambia welcomed South African refugees despite facing economic hardship and military threats from the apartheid regime. Zambia paid a heavy price for its solidarity but never abandoned the cause of South African freedom.
Botswana also played a vital role. Despite being a young and relatively poor nation, it became a major escape route for South Africans fleeing apartheid. Many activists crossed through Botswana on their way to safety. Botswana's support extended beyond politics. Cultural productions connected to the liberation struggle, including performances associated with Sarafina!, found audiences there, helping to spread awareness of apartheid and resistance throughout the region.
Nigeria stood firmly against apartheid and became one of the liberation movement's strongest supporters. The Nigerian government provided scholarships for South African students, contributed financially to the anti-apartheid struggle, and consistently advocated for sanctions against the apartheid government. For many years, ordinary Nigerians donated money to support South African freedom efforts.
Ghana, inspired by the Pan-African vision of Kwame Nkrumah, also supported liberation movements across the continent. Long before apartheid ended, Ghana recognized that the freedom of South Africans was connected to the freedom and dignity of all Africans.
Malawi's relationship with apartheid South Africa was more complicated because of economic ties, yet it still provided opportunities and refuge to some South Africans who sought safety outside their homeland.
The history of southern Africa itself is one of movement, migration, and interconnected peoples. In the early nineteenth century, Shaka Zulu transformed the Zulu Kingdom into a powerful force in the region. During the period known as the Mfecane, many communities were displaced across southern Africa. One of Shaka's former commanders, Mzilikazi, broke away and led his followers northward, eventually establishing the Ndebele Kingdom in what is now Zimbabwe. Today, the Ndebele people remain an important part of Zimbabwe's cultural and historical identity, illustrating how deeply connected the histories of southern African nations truly are.
The reality is that African borders are relatively recent creations. The peoples of southern Africa have traded, migrated, intermarried, and shared cultures for centuries. The idea that Africans from neighboring countries are strangers ignores a long history of interconnectedness.
This does not mean that governments should ignore challenges related to immigration, employment, or national security. Every country has the right to manage its borders and protect its citizens. However, there is a profound difference between enforcing immigration laws and treating fellow human beings with hostility, violence, or humiliation.
The anti-apartheid struggle was never solely a South African struggle. It was an African struggle. Countries across the continent sacrificed resources, opportunities, and, in some cases, lives to support South Africans in their quest for freedom. They did so because they believed that injustice anywhere in Africa was a threat to justice everywhere.
As South Africa continues to grapple with social and economic challenges, it is worth remembering this history. The lesson of African solidarity is not that problems should be ignored. Rather, it is that solutions must be rooted in humanity, dignity, and mutual respect.
Perhaps if more of this shared history were taught in schools, future generations would better understand the debt of gratitude owed to the continent that stood with South Africa when it needed help most. Remembering that history may not solve today's challenges, but forgetting it risks repeating the mistakes of the past.
I love reading these comments. Looks like the rest of the world gets it now. Uncontrolled immigration is a problem for any country. If government does not do its job which is to govern and ensure that laws are adhered, people will do it for them. Look at what immigrants are doing in the UK. Particularly the Muslim immigrants. They arrive and want to enforce their religion in that country. Whereas when other people go to their country, they force them to adhere to Islam. Please stop them as fast as you can, my fellow South Africans. Recently, a knife wielding immigrant tried to behead a UK citizen in broad daylight in the street. Thank God other people stopped the attack. Too much unregulated immigration can be dangerous for any society.
They go only against black, what means they go against theirself.
Other africans are not the problem. The white are, because they Controller everything.
Let us talk about. Viljeon .. In the United States, ICE primarily refers to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. It is a federal law enforcement agency under the Department of Homeland Security responsible for investigating transnational crime and enforcing immigration laws, including the detention and deportation of undocumented immigrants
The march is against illegal immigration of undocumented individuals. Does Qatar support illegal immigration?
White South Africans own a significant majority of formal and corporate businesses, despite making up roughly 7% of the population. In the private sector, White individuals occupy approximately 62%to 70% of top management positions and hold a similar majority on corporate boards across the country. 80% of South African land is white owned. Foreign African nationals in South Africa view fellow local South African nationals as brothers and equals compared how white South africans view local Black South African citizens, but to my surprise despite of all these factors, the local Black South African nationals decide to hate and also view their foreign fellow African brothers to be their enemies?
Indians, Pakistanis, Chinese and other whites residents documented or undocumented are welcome and good, yet for fellow foreign African nationals even if documented or undocumented are not welcome and unliked to still stay and operate any business, what kind of hate for fellow African brothers by black south Africans?
Stop using undocumented and criminality issue for the foreign African nationals to chase them, just be open and straight that Black South Africans they too hate other fellow black Africans to be in their country. They love their tormentors, they love their white South Africans bosses, and hate fellow foreign African brothers in South Africa
Very okay to with systemic Eating of bones and leftovers, and it's unacceptable for any black south African to see fellow foreign African nationals in South Africa doing businesses which are being done by foreign Indians, Pakistanis Chinese and even foreign whites. Indigenous Black South Africans are to cheap and low now, they have misdirected their efforts and brains than getting united to get back their land, getting involved in sharing national cake and wealth, changing the systematic education that excludes them from being productive
SOUTH AFRICAN GOT BIG HEAD WITH NOTHING IN IT ! INSTEAD GOING AFTER THE FOLKS WHO MAKING MILLIONS ON THE DIAMOND AND GOLD ! THEY GO AFTER AFRICAN ! CONQUER AND DIVIDE ! CONQUER AND DIVIDE ! CONQUER AND DIVIDE !
You guys have a favorable view towards the Islamic shop owners I have been to Durban CBD and was surprised at how clean and order the place was in it reminded me of the 1990s
Yall gotta hold your lousy government accountable, keep fighting the system UNTIL YOU WIN!!!
THIS COMING FROM YOUR FELLOW AFRICAN HOMIE….AND YES IM ETHIOPIAN BASED IN AMERICA
This is what happens when you put a bunch of monkeys with no job.
Instead of focus on yourself , get a job and work or if you have money and brains start your own than taking others responsibility and end being murders to illegal immigrants of foreigners .
The ANC’s stance on Eswatini is fiercely hypocritical. Here is a country ruled by a brutal absolute monarch who lives in extreme luxury with 16 wives while his people are trapped in poverty, yet the ANC completely turns a blind eye. Meanwhile, they eagerly take to the world stage to parade their moral concern for Palestinians. It is a stunning double standard, especially considering the ANC itself was the prime beneficiary of international sanctions that pushed for its own regime change.
What makes this duplicity even more troubling is the structural connection: Eswatini is entirely landlocked within South Africa’s sphere of influence, yet the ANC operates a notorious private investment front called Chancellor House. In a glaring conflict of interest, Chancellor House acquired a 75% ownership stake in the Maloma Colliery, a highly lucrative coal mine right inside Eswatini. This raises a critical question: why is a ruling political party playing the corporate investment game with an oppressive regime, if not to prioritize its own financial survival over human rights?
My Black South Africans will eventually be BLACKLISTED In the corporate job market. Watch the space. They lack diplomacy and intelligent strategies in all departments. Their Attitudes will always be linked to their inability to do the job right. The world is watching.
All African Countries out to Deport all Black South Africans especially the Zules. THEY ARE STUPID AND UNGREATFUL FOR THE SACRIFICE WE PAID TO LIBERATE THEM FROM APATHEID. NOW I CAN UNDERSTAND WHY WHITE SOUTH AFRICANS DIDNT WANT THESE BUFFOONS NEAR THEM. SO UNCIVILIZED.
SA behaving like they are US 😂😂😂 pls someone tell them there a third world country
They attack also legal black migrants, why they don't touch White Colonizers All business under white, black migrants working at lower level for food ,
Politicians make business on poor people, Europe not doing Such things on black migrants
不法移民なら追放するのは当然の権利であり、それが多少暴力的であっても問題ない。アメリカも日本もやっている。黒人同士でもそれは起こりうる。なぜその運動を非難するのか？彼らは当然の権利を執行しただけだ。警察が怠惰なら民間で行うべきであり、それは経済的な理由であろうとなかろうと、権利なのだ。
Go onto Google and you will see the names of victims unalived in Xenophobic attacks. May their soul rest in peace.Amen
This must nrver happen again
In 2015
1. Marcus NATAS – Ethiopia 🇪🇹 – unalived by mobs in East of Kwa Zulu- Natal
2. Muvo – Zimbabwe 🇿🇼 unalived by mobs in Chartsworth, South of Durban
3. Dava SEBAASTIO – Mozambique 🇲🇿 – unalived by mobs at Verulam North of Durban
4. Shaofic SHAOF UI ALAM – Bangladesh 🇧🇩 was shot and unalived in Plessisfaer Pietermaritzburg
5. Thabo Owen MZOBE – South Africa 🇿🇦 unalived in Ntuzuma Kwazulu-Natal
6. Amanda DLAMINI – South Africa 🇿🇦 unalived in Bhekithemba Kwazulu-Natal
7. Petros DLAMINI – South Africa 🇿🇦 unalived in Chatsworth in Kwa-zulu Natal
In 2026
8. Emeka Charles IROEGBU – Nigeria 🇳🇬 unalived in Sunnyside, Pretoria by SA police as a result of severe interrogation tactics for alleged drug possession.
9. Musa Yunana JOE – Nigeria 🇳🇬 shop owner shot and unalived by armed robbers outside his shop at Emalahleni, Mpumalanga province
Asking for proper procedures to be followed is not xenophobic. We must understand firstly we have born south african citizen's that are very educated , waking up early is one thing that doesn't give authorization for small tuckshop, barbershop, Tikka shop, curtains businesses, energy-efficient chandeliers businesses, that means and give foreign national people's that are not born south africans a pass to stay for 15 to 20 year's in south africa with no proper documentation, this effects alot of young youth that, are born south african citizen's, because of these foreign national people's, this is the way uncut truth, 2010 viva the world cup is here, everyone comes to see our beautiful south african , then suddenly don't want to leave to their birth countries to origin, now these foreign national people's came on a vacations tour , "tourism " which means they are not supposed to be more then three month's in south africa they are on vacations these foreign national people's has to return back from where they came from, although now in south africa these people's are having children applying for sassa grant's, enrolling their foreign children's into our south african schools, what happens to born south african citizen's and they kid's all first class to "s Dass school " ,south african citizen's have suffered enough threw foreign national people's, in the next twenty years to thirty year's these foreign national people's will be evicting south africans from their own country.This is not a lash out attack at foreign national people's, what is being motioned is that ,with proper procedures documentation these people's are welcome in south africa although this is only for three month's.
This foreign nationals come into south africa then expect to wake up early in the morning then make decisions how the country should be ruled .
For instance foreign national men come into south africa and exploit indian women's ensuring that they have foreign children's, then these women's are the down fall to south africa and selling their country to foreign people's also depleting our south african currency and depleting our south african population just for harboring these foreign national people's and the main results to this is " indian women, and black women" disobedient south african women's that are selling our south african nation to foreign nationals.