Hundreds of foreign nationals have sought refuge in churches and appealed to their home governments for help as anti-migrant violence escalates across South Africa, particularly in the eastern province of KwaZulu-Natal. Around 250 people — mostly women and children — gathered behind the gates of the Diakonia Council of Churches building in Durban, a major port city and economic hub on South Africa's eastern coast, after weeks of threats, harassment and robberies carried out by vigilante groups moving door to door through townships and informal settlements.

A Durban-based group called March and March, whose members have been seen wearing traditional Zulu dress and carrying shields and sticks, has issued an ultimatum demanding that undocumented foreign nationals leave the country by 30 June, accusing migrants of involvement in crime. The deadline carries no legal force and is not backed by any government authority, but it has caused widespread fear, amplified by disinformation spreading on social media. Miriamu Mokonzi, a mother from the Democratic Republic of Congo's conflict-affected Kivu region, described how a mob visited her home at the weekend. "They warned that if we don't leave by the end of the month, we will be attacked or killed," she said. Migrants at the Durban shelter came from multiple countries, including Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda and Tanzania, as well as the DRC.

The crisis has drawn responses from other African governments. Ghana — which has alerted the African Union about the situation — announced repatriation flights for its citizens wishing to leave South Africa. A first group of around 300 Ghanaians was due to depart from Johannesburg on 21 May, but the operation was postponed by several days after Ghana's foreign ministry cited insufficient time to complete administrative formalities, including flight authorisations and identity checks for more than 800 applicants. Ernest Yeboah, a Ghanaian who has lived in South Africa for 14 years and resides in KwaZulu-Natal, said he was packed and ready to go. "I believe they are serious and capable of doing it. We must be helped before that dreadful day arrives," he said, referring to the 30 June deadline.

South Africa has experienced recurring waves of xenophobic violence since 2008, when dozens of migrants were killed and thousands displaced in attacks across the country. Similar outbreaks occurred in 2015 and 2021, typically driven by a combination of deep economic frustration and political rhetoric targeting immigrants. Observers note that the current spike coincides with political campaigning ahead of local government elections expected in six months, raising concerns that anti-immigrant sentiment is once again being exploited for electoral purposes. For the migrants currently sheltering in Durban — many of whom fled war, poverty or persecution in their own countries — the immediate priority remains simply staying safe.