OPINION: South Africa’s Xenophobia Problem Is Bigger Than Immigration

Every few years, South Africa returns to a painful and unresolved question: why does hostility towards foreign nationals keep resurfacing? The demonstrations on 30 June, organised by groups including Operation Dudula and March and March, once again placed immigration at the centre of national debate. Supporters argued that stronger action is needed against undocumented migration,…

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Suspected rhino poacher arrested after late-night shootout in Kruger National Park

A suspected rhino poacher has been arrested following an exchange of gunfire with field rangers during a late-night anti-poaching patrol in South Africa’s Kruger National Park, while authorities continue searching for three other suspects who escaped. The incident occurred shortly before midnight on 5 July in the Pretoriuskop section of the national park, one of…

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Poisoning investigation transforms former South African police chief’s reported Covid death into murder case

Nearly four years after the death of a senior South African police official was attributed to Covid-19 complications, investigators are now treating the case as a suspected murder following forensic findings that indicate he was poisoned. Lieutenant-General Sindile Christopher “Pitso” Mfazi, who served as Deputy National Commissioner for Crime Detection in the South African Police…

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South Africa prepares biggest immigration and visa reform in more than two decades

South Africa is moving ahead with its most significant overhaul of immigration policy since 2002, with the government planning to introduce new visa categories, modernise the application process and tighten compliance requirements for employers. The reforms follow Cabinet’s approval of the Revised White Paper on Citizenship, Immigration and Refugee Protection, which sets out a new…

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South African government moves to tighten rules for Airbnb and short-term rentals

South Africa is preparing to introduce stricter regulations for the country’s rapidly growing short-term rental market, with platforms such as Airbnb, Booking.com and LekkeSlaap expected to face greater oversight under a new regulatory framework. The proposed changes form part of the government’s broader effort to balance tourism growth with the availability of long-term housing. Officials…

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South African homeowners warned as criminals adopt new tactics to target properties

Security experts are warning South African homeowners to remain vigilant as criminals increasingly disguise themselves as waste pickers to identify vulnerable properties, while open-house property viewings continue to present opportunities for theft. The warning comes as home-related crime remains a major concern across the country. According to South African Police Service (SAPS) crime statistics, more…

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Second suspect arrested in R15 million Killarney precious stones investigation

South Africa’s Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) has arrested a second suspect in connection with the alleged theft of precious stones valued at nearly R15 million during a controversial operation at a Johannesburg home in 2023. The latest suspect surrendered to police at Edenvale Police Station on Sunday evening before being taken into custody. The…

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Police seize more than 50kg of suspected khat at Cape Town airport

A 46-year-old man has been arrested at Cape Town International Airport after police discovered more than 50 kilograms of suspected khat concealed inside his luggage, marking one of several recent drug-related arrests across the Western Cape. According to the South African Police Service (SAPS), officers from the Border Policing unit made the arrest on Saturday…

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Nearly 60,000 Zimbabweans return home as South Africa’s anti-illegal immigration campaign grows

Nearly 60,000 Zimbabwean nationals have returned home from South Africa following growing anti-illegal immigration demonstrations and increased voluntary departures, according to figures released by the Zimbabwean government. The latest statistics indicate that 58,768 Zimbabweans have returned home, including 11,065 who were repatriated through joint efforts between the South African and Zimbabwean governments, while 47,703 travelled…

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