A fresh upsurge of intimidation and violence against foreign nationals, and particularly African migrants, has once again sown distrust, generated suspicion, and prompted an entire industry of disinformation, with toxic consequences, as was witnessed in both Durban and Soweto recently. Refugee Digest 105 – Migrants, Refugees and Displaced Persons by Peter-John Pearson

Over the past months, the threat of violence against foreign nationals has spiked significantly. Along with this, the levels of impunity of those perpetrating such acts has also risen. Misinformation, disinformation, conspiracy theories and rumours have also created immeasurable fear, anxiety, financial loss and the undermining of social cohesion and South Africa’s democratic culture. Refugee […]

It is now just over two months since the unofficial deadline, imposed by some organisations with a xenophobic agenda, for ridding South Africa of all undocumented persons. Vestiges of the campaigns still linger, and outbursts of xenophobic activities and divisive narratives continue to surface in the public domain. It is also clear that enough time […]

Over the past couple of months the eyes of the country were firmly fixed on the issues around the threatened expulsion of undocumented foreign nationals, along with fearmongering and intimidation amongst all foreign nationals, irrespective of status, and the isolated but not unplanned campaigns of targeted violence. Refugee Digest 102 – Migrants, Refugees and Displaced […]

Over the past few weeks, as the South African government has sought to show that it has a handle on the surge in xenophobic activities and issues relating to immigration, it has drawn attention to its record in the deportation of undocumented foreigners, as well as its efforts in repatriation programmes. Refugee Digest 101 – […]

The political landscape continues to be dogged by very public narratives, actions and violence with regard to foreign nationals. We keep being warned that this is part of a tension which is geared towards the local elections towards the end of the year. Refugee Digest 100 – Migrants, Refugees and Displaced Persons by Peter-John Pearson

The sustained anti-foreigner protests that again accompanied the enrolment of undocumented or foreign born children at public schools, plus the window for submissions with regard to the Draft Revised White Paper on Citizenship, Immigration and Refugee Protection, have again occasioned robust debate on the contentious issue of mobile people, especially undocumented people’s status in South […]

This Digest focuses on the 2026 State of the Nation Address, with special regard to issues around foreign nationals, immigration, and undocumented persons, as mentioned by the President and in the various reactions by other political parties and groups to the framing of these contested issues. Refugee Digest 98 – Migrants, Refugees and Displaced Persons […]