Political analysts say illegal immigration is likely to become one of the defining issues of South Africa's 2026 local government elections, as rising public frustration over unemployment, poverty and service delivery increasingly intersects with debates around migration, border control and social cohesion.
Illegal immigration has long been a recurring political issue in South Africa and is once again moving to the centre of public and political debate ahead of the 2026 local government elections, with analysts warning that intensified rhetoric around undocumented migration could deepen xenophobic tensions in already strained communities.
The issue has gained renewed prominence in political discourse, with parties, government leaders and protest movements linking undocumented migration to unemployment, crime concerns, labour competition and pressure on public services.
Recent months have seen renewed marches and public mobilisation around illegal immigration in parts of Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, alongside increasing political attention on immigration enforcement and calls from civic groups for tougher action against undocumented migrants.
Concerns around immigration enforcement and undocumented migration have also been raised by several political parties.
