June 9, 2026
Protesters gather as one of them waves a South African flag during a protest march against undocumented migrants in Springs, Ekurhuleni, on June 8, 2026. Hundreds of anti-migrant protesters marched through a township outside Johannesburg on June 8, 2026, a day after South African President Cyril Ramaphosa pledged action against groups accused of fuelling xenophobic violence. South Africa has seen recurring bouts of anti-migrant violence, with protests intensifying this year after vigilante groups ordered undocumented foreigners to leave by June 30. (Photo by EMMANUEL CROSET / AFP)
Bare-chested and wearing traditional headgear and armbands, Phakela Ndabandaba led several hundred South African men in a Zulu war cry directed at undocumented immigrants.
“We are ready to act,” they chanted on Monday — many carrying sticks, whips and shields — at one of the largest protests in months demanding the departure of foreigners with no papers.
The imposing Ndabandaba is emerging as the face of a swelling nationwide protest movement spearheaded by various citizen-led fringe groups that is stirring up the hot-button issue in South Africa ahead of local elections in November.
