Tuesday July 14, 2026
FILE PHOTO: Backers of the South African anti-immigrant organisation ‘March and March’ take part in a demonstration in Umzimkhulu, South Africa.
A regional leader of South Africa’s anti-migrant March and March group has died after being shot in what the organisation describes as an alleged assassination, according to state broadcaster SABC.
Andile Somgxada, the group’s Gauteng leader, was shot as he left his home early this month. He died of his injuries last Thursday, though news of his death only emerged on Monday.
A group spokesman said several March and March leaders had received death threats linked to the organisation’s contentious stance on illegal migration.
“March and March has been receiving death threats in this case of our leader in Ekurhuleni. So, we confirm that there’s a number of death threats that we are receiving throughout South Africa for wanting what’s best for the South Africans,” Sandile Dube said.
53,000 repatriated
South African authorities have deported or repatriated more than 53,000 African immigrants in a single month, amid a crackdown that has unfolded alongside sometimes violent protests over illegal migration.
More than 80% of those returned to their home countries were Malawian, South African Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi said on Sunday.
Authorities did not specify how many people had been deported and how many had accepted voluntary repatriation offers.
Nigeria, Ghana and Mozambique have said some of their citizens died during the protests. South African officials, however, have dismissed efforts to connect those deaths to demonstrations against illegal immigrants.
In recent months, rising anti-immigrant sentiment has triggered attacks on foreigners and heightened tensions in parts of South Africa. Several African nations have supplied aircraft and buses to help return their citizens home.
Border security
Malawian, Zimbabwean and Mozambican nationals accounted for most of the immigrants deported or repatriated, South African officials said. Citizens of Nigeria, Uganda and Kenya were also among those sent home.
Last month, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa unveiled plans to tighten border security and enforce immigration laws in Africa’s most developed economy, while acknowledging the growing tensions surrounding the issue.
