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Zulu King Misuzulu kaZwelithini on Sunday appealed for restraint as sentiment simmers against illegal immigrants, saying the violence that has characterised some of the protests is hurting the country’s image on the continent.The government, security apparatus and traditional leaders are scrambling to prevent violence as a June 30 deadline set by anti-immigrant civilian groups looms, triggering a diplomatic rupture across Africa. The March and March movement and allied groups demanded in December 2025 that undocumented foreign nationals leave South Africa within six months. The government has distanced itself from the ultimatum, which carries no legal authority but has resulted in the governments of Nigeria, Ghana and Malawi beginning to evacuate their citizens as violence targeting migrants spreads through KwaZulu-Natal and other provinces.Ghana’s repatriation efforts have seen the return of 1,000 of its citizens, while Nigeria chartered flights out of Johannesburg, evacuating an initial wave of 262 nationals.King Misuzulu used an address at an International Yoga Day event in Durban on Sunday to appeal directly for restraint. “South Africa, we are not looking good in the whole of Africa right now,” he said in a speech delivered largely in isiZulu, warning against attacks on foreign nationals.“People are also looking for greener pastures in order to feed themselves... They are here because of poverty. That does not mean we must beat them.” Chairperson of the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on Migration, Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi, is leading a delegation to the KwaZulu Royal House to meet with His Majesty King Misuzulu kaZwelithini. She is accompanied by the Deputy Minister of International Relations and… pic.twitter.com/PqjEVFP7vV— The DoJ & CD (@DOJCD_ZA) June 21, 2026
