Police Probe Slaying of South Africa's Anti‑Migrant Leader

A special police unit has been dispatched to investigate the murder of Andile Mvuyelwa Somgxada, the Gauteng regional chief of the anti‑migrant movement March and March. Somgxada was shot outside his home in early July and later died in hospital.

The movement’s spokesperson, Sandile Dube, claims the killing is a retaliation for the group’s campaign urging undocumented migrants to leave South Africa. He says other leaders of March and March have recently faced death threats and intimidation.

Acting police chief Lt‑Gen Puleng Dimpane announced on Tuesday a multidisciplinary task‑force dedicated to uncovering the motives behind the shooting. “We are committed to conducting a thorough investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding this murder and to ensure accountability,” she said.

The law applies equally to everyone. No individual or group has the authority to conduct immigration inspections, verify legal status, or remove people from communities. — Lt Gen Puleng Dimpane

The case comes amid a broader surge of anti‑migrant protests across South Africa. March and March set an informal deadline of 30 June for all undocumented migrants to depart, threatening to march weekly until their demands were met. The country has deported or repatriated over 53,000 foreign nationals in the past month alone. Yet xenophobic violence, including looting and intimidation, has erupted in some regions.

The investigation is being closely watched by both local communities and international observers as tensions between migrants and the state intensify. Find more details at the BBC Africa website or follow us on @BBCAfrica.