South African government ministers held urgent talks on Monday to address rising tensions over illegal migration as protests demanding the removal of undocumented foreign nationals intensified across the country.
Citizen-led groups accusing illegal migrants of contributing to crime and taking jobs from locals have issued a June 30 deadline for undocumented foreigners to leave South Africa. The government said ministers responsible for justice, defence and crime prevention met to finalise a plan aimed at combating racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.
Officials are also expected to engage political parties and protest groups involved in the demonstrations.
The protests have gained momentum in recent months, reviving fears of xenophobic violence similar to outbreaks in 2008 that left 62 people dead, including 21 South Africans.
Last week, several hundred foreign nationals from countries including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Somalia sought protection in the eastern port city of Durban, saying residents had gone door-to-door urging them to leave before the June 30 deadline.
Fresh protests were reported on Monday in Katlehong township, southwest of Johannesburg, where hundreds of residents called on police to verify the immigration status of foreign nationals operating businesses.
In Bloemfontein, demonstrators protesting poor service delivery also targeted foreign nationals, reports state broadcaster SABC.
South Africa’s government has urged African countries to address economic and governance challenges that drive migration to the continent’s most industrialised economy.
“This is a shared responsibility,” Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola said on the sidelines of a meeting of the Southern African Development Community over the weekend.