SA groups demand ban on xenophobic vigilantes

A coalition of South African civil society organisations has called for an immediate ban on anti-immigrant groups, alleging they are fueling xenophobic violence, hate speech and vigilantism across parts of the country.

The coalition, led by Global South Against Xenophobia (GSAX), has written to President Cyril Ramaphosa, Cabinet ministers, the South African Human Rights Commission, the Independent Electoral Commission and the United Nations, urging urgent intervention.

In its submissions, GSAX accused groups such as Operation Dudula and March and March of targeting undocumented migrants, refugees and foreign nationals through coordinated campaigns and protests.

The organisation said the movements were continuing their activities despite public warnings from government and law enforcement agencies.

"Operation Dudula and March and March are persisting in their vigilantism against foreign nationals and others, despite public warnings by the president and the acting Minister of SAPS," GSAX said.

The coalition alleged that the groups were spreading across multiple provinces, including Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape, Western Cape, Mpumalanga and North West, where incidents of violence and intimidation have been reported.

It further claimed that social media campaigns and public demonstrations were being used to mobilise supporters under the banner of "rooting out illegal foreigners."

GSAX said such actions amounted to hate speech, discrimination and incitement to violence against foreign nationals, asylum seekers and refugees.

The organisation also expressed concern over alleged political support being extended to the movements, warning that this could heighten tensions ahead of South Africa's 2026 local government elections.

"This is a critical window period for de-escalation via the State taking control to prevent social, economic and political destabilisation, deaths, injury and more destruction of property," the coalition said.

The group called for urgent investigations under the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act, and urged authorities to seek court interdicts against the organisations involved.

It also appealed for criminal accountability for leaders of the movements and called for probes into their funding sources.

GSAX further urged the South African Human Rights Commission to launch a formal investigation and recommended that authorities consider regulatory action or prohibition of organisations whose activities are deemed unlawful.

In its letter, the coalition also linked the rise in xenophobic activity to broader geopolitical tensions, including South Africa's case against Israel at the International Court of Justice over Gaza—an allegation it said required further investigation.

Authorities have not yet publicly responded to the latest demands, but xenophobia and attacks on foreign nationals have remained a recurring flashpoint in parts of South Africa in recent years.

GSAX has urged citizens to reject xenophobia, saying it worsens poverty, unemployment and insecurity rather than resolving them.

"Ubuntu means we work together to protect peace, human rights and the dignity of all people," the organisation said.