Justice Minister Mamoloko Kubayi has suggested that foreign interests, including Israel, may have played a role in the anti-illegal immigration protests across South Africa on 30 June, alleging an attempt to undermine the country’s position in the ongoing International Court of Justice (ICJ) case against Israel. The protests, which saw some groups demanding the removal of undocumented migrants, have prompted warnings from senior government figures and student organisations about external forces exploiting local socio-economic frustrations to destabilise South Africa.

Claims Of Foreign Interference In Anti-Migrant Sentiment

On 4 July, Kubayi referenced South Africa’s legal action against Israel at the ICJ, saying that attempts to underestimate the international implications of this move were naive. “Our presence and our taking Israel to the ICJ — if anyone underestimates that, [that person] is naive,” Kubayi stated, according to the Sunday Times. However, no direct evidence has been provided to substantiate claims of Israeli involvement in the protests, and the allegations remain unverified.

The South African Students Congress (SASCO) also released a statement claiming that foreign intelligence agencies were capitalising on local hardships, such as unemployment and poverty, to fuel hostility against migrants and incite unrest. According to IOL, SASCO did not provide specific details regarding the origin or activities of these alleged foreign actors, and their claims also remain unconfirmed.

Government Response To Unrest And Political Implications

Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, speaking to APA News, characterised the protests as part of persistent efforts by ‘opportunists’ to destabilise the country by turning public frustration against migrants. Ntshavheni said: “We have seen consistent attempts to mobilise uprisings in the country. Small or minor issues are used to mobilise the uprisings. They have failed and they will fail this time around.”

The allegations of foreign interference come amidst heightened tensions following protests, where some South African groups gave unilateral deadlines for undocumented migrants to leave. The government has emphasised that such unrest threatens national cohesion and is particularly sensitive while the ICJ genocide proceedings against Israel remain underway.

The government is expected to monitor and address potential sources of instability, while calls for further investigation into foreign involvement remain under discussion.