Charged climate ahead of the Local Government Elections: Xenophobic violence in South Africa is on the rise

The recent xenophobic unrest in South Africa reflects an increasingly tense domestic political climate in the run-up to the 2026 Local Government Elections, in which migration is becoming ever more polarising. It is being exacerbated by socio-economic pressures, widespread anti-migrant narratives, and the mobilisation of corresponding radical groups. At the same time, it poses significant domestic and foreign policy risks, particularly for the country’s stability and its relations with African partners.