Amnesty International South Africa called on the government Tuesday to stop vigilante groups from unlawfully targeting migrants, business owners, and communities [1, 2].
The demand comes as a surge in organized intimidation creates a climate of violence that threatens the fundamental human rights of thousands of foreign nationals across the country [2, 4].
Shenilla Mohamed, executive director of Amnesty International South Africa, said the state must intervene to protect vulnerable populations. She said a lack of decisive action against the growing trend of vigilantism is encouraging further human rights violations [2].
This wave of unrest has led to significant displacement and legal action. More than 900 people were arrested during anti-migrant protests [5], while tens of thousands of African migrants have been displaced due to the violence [6].
The organization highlighted a specific incident in Durban on April 21, 2026, where a man accused of being undocumented was beaten during a protest [7]. Such events illustrate the shift toward organized intimidation in various regions of South Africa [4].
Amnesty International South Africa said the state must stop vigilante groups that are unlawfully targeting migrants, business owners, and communities [1]. The group said the current environment of harassment is unsustainable and requires an immediate government response to ensure the rule of law is upheld.
“The state must stop vigilante groups that are unlawfully targeting migrants, business owners, and communities.”
The rise of organized vigilante groups in South Africa suggests a breakdown in local security and a growing reliance on extrajudicial 'policing' of immigration status. By targeting business owners and migrants, these groups are not only violating individual rights but are destabilizing local economies and creating a precedent where undocumented status justifies physical violence.
