Anti-Immigration Marches in Johannesburg Spark Clashes, Conflicting Police Statements and Fresh Court Limits on Vigilantism

Our City News reporters witnessed a Cameroonian migrant struck over the head as marchers ran at people, harassed and intimidated them during anti-immigration demonstrations in Johannesburg. Marchers threw rocks at individuals accused of being migrants on the street and in apartment buildings in densely populated neighbourhoods.

In one incident they surrounded a police van, opened the door and threatened the driver.

Protesters also stopped a police vehicle, manhandled and threatened a police officer. A number of marchers were seen carrying firearms. One of the marches in Johannesburg was unauthorised. These events unfolded even as groups campaigning against illegal immigration and crime have held marches in South Africa in recent months.

Anti-immigration marches occurred in Durban last week before 13 May 2026, where ActionSA's Ekurhuleni mayoral candidate Xolani Khumalo was present and visibly involved. People associated with Ngizwe Mchunu and Nkosikhona 'Phakelumthakathi' Ndabandaba intend to return to Johannesburg in the coming weeks after 13 May 2026.

Gauteng provincial police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi stated that the gatherings in Johannesburg had been peaceful so far and that no incidents had been reported to the SAPS.

She added that the groups marching in Johannesburg received approval for both days. Johannesburg Metro Police Department spokesperson Superintendent Xolani Fihla stated that the group had only received approval for the march held on 29 April.

Sharon Ekambaram, Head of the Refugee and Migrant Rights Project at Lawyers for Human Rights, stated there have been regular reports of police and other law enforcement standing by while looting and other acts of vigilantism take place by groups such as Operation Dudula.

The South Gauteng High Court ruled that the SAPS and the departments of Home Affairs and Justice & Correctional Services failed to protect migrants from vigilantism. The South Gauteng High Court ruled that only an immigration officer or a police officer has the power to demand that someone produce their passport or other identity documents and can only do so in public places.

The South Gauteng High Court ruled that no warrantless searches may occur at home, school, work or business. The South Gauteng High Court affirmed the duty of the state to take steps to prevent xenophobic harassment and violence. Sharon Ekambaram stated that the court ruling applies to any and all acts of vigilantism across the country.

Lizette Lancaster, Head of the Justice and Violence Prevention Programme at the Institute for Security Studies, said there was no evidence that the police tolerated this violence even when there had been failure to protect victims. Lancaster added that police are constitutionally bound to maintain public order, protect inhabitants and uphold the law, and that they will be compelled to investigate if criminal cases are opened by victims.

Professor Loren Landau, co-director of the Wits-Oxford Mobility Governance Lab (MGL), warned that the widespread appropriation of state authority by ordinary people such as vigilante groups and opportunistic politicians effectively privatises one of the core functions of the state.

AllAfrica reported these details from Johannesburg on 13 May 2026.