Anti-Immigration Marches Sponsored By The Govt – South African Opposition Leader, Julius Malema

Julius Malema, leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), has strongly condemned the recent anti-immigration protests taking place across South Africa, describing the demonstrations as “clownish” and “stupid.”

The protests, which have drawn thousands of participants in different parts of the country, were reportedly organized by groups accusing undocumented immigrants of worsening unemployment, straining healthcare systems, increasing pressure on housing, and contributing to insecurity and social challenges.

Speaking during an interview with Sky News Africa correspondent Yousra Elbagir, Malema dismissed claims that xenophobia is deeply rooted in South Africa.

Instead, the outspoken politician argued that many individuals behind the protests are merely using anti-immigration sentiment as a tool for extortion and political manipulation.

According to him, some of those involved in the marches are “charlatans, extortionists and corrupt individuals” targeting foreign nationals for personal gain.

Malema further alleged that the protests are being indirectly supported and encouraged by elements within the government as a distraction from more pressing national issues affecting South Africans.

He questioned why security agencies appear to tolerate public harassment and intimidation of foreign nationals during such demonstrations.

“How can ordinary people publicly manhandle others in front of the police without consequences?” Malema reportedly asked, describing such actions as criminal behavior.

The EFF leader also challenged the widespread narrative that foreign nationals are primarily responsible for crime in South Africa.

He argued that official prison statistics do not support those claims, insisting that the majority of inmates in South African correctional facilities are South African citizens rather than immigrants from countries such as Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Ghana, or the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The comments from Malema have sparked fresh debate across social media and political circles, with supporters praising his stance against xenophobia while critics accused him of ignoring legitimate concerns over immigration and economic hardship.

South Africa has experienced repeated waves of anti-immigrant tension over the years, with foreign nationals often blamed for unemployment, crime, and pressure on public resources during periods of economic difficulty.

The latest protests have once again reignited conversations around migration, governance, poverty, and social cohesion in Africa’s most industrialized economy.