South Africa’s foreign-born population almost trebled to 2.4 million between 1996 and 2022, according to the census, which aimed to include undocumented people. That represented 3.9% of the 62 million population, up from 2% in 1996. South Africa’s government has said it is working to improve immigration data.

As frustration has grown at South Africa’s high levels of unemployment and inequality, so too has the scapegoating of other Africans. This tension has periodically erupted into often fatal violence.

The current wave of protests about immigration peaked on 30 June, which was an unofficial deadline given by campaign groups for illegal immigrants to leave the country. But the attacks and displacement have continued, leading to thousands more fleeing South Africa this month.

Looks like immigration causing problems even in Africa