Anti-immigration protests have escalated across South Africa, with demonstrators in Johannesburg conducting door-to-door searches for undocumented migrants on Thursday. Protesters in the Alexandra area reportedly broke into homes and handed over those without valid papers to police, including a Malawian woman and her child. Similar actions took place in Soweto and Durban, spreading fear among foreign residents.

The movement, led by former radio presenter Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, has vowed to continue weekly protests until its demands are met. Organizers blame undocumented migrants for South Africa’s economic problems and are calling for stricter border control, mass deportations, and priority access to public services for citizens. Anti-immigrant sentiment has grown amid high unemployment, with some groups having set an informal June 30 deadline for undocumented migrants to leave the country.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged against blaming migrants for social and economic challenges, emphasizing the need to enforce immigration laws fairly. The unrest has already prompted more than 38,000 Malawians and 60,000 Zimbabweans to return home, according to their governments.

A Bangladeshi expatriate businessman, Belal Hossain alias Sumon from Begumganj upazila of Noakhali, was shot dead by armed assailants in Johannesburg, South Africa. The incident occurred on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, in the Mayfair area, where Sumon was attacked inside his own business establishment. He sustained gunshot wounds to the head and neck and died on the spot.

According to local accounts, Sumon had been running a business in South Africa for the past 15 years and had visited Bangladesh a year earlier. His death has cast a shadow of grief over his home village in Noakhali. Begumganj Police Station Officer-in-Charge Shamsuzzaman said he learned of the incident from media reports and would contact the victim’s relatives for further information.

The report did not mention whether South African authorities have launched an investigation or identified any suspects in connection with the killing.

Police in South Africa have arrested more than 900 people during anti-immigrant protests held across the country. The arrests were confirmed on Wednesday following demonstrations on Tuesday, most of which remained peaceful. However, several areas experienced violence, looting, and gunfire. National Police Commissioner Tebello Mosikili said 120 marches took place nationwide, with police intervening in 12 of them to restore order.

Authorities reported that those detained face charges including illegal residence, incitement of violence, harboring undocumented migrants, and robbery. In Johannesburg’s Alexandra township, one person was killed during looting at small foreign-owned shops known locally as “spaza shops.” Additional police forces were deployed in five of the country’s nine provinces, and soldiers were stationed in Johannesburg’s Hillbrow area, where two people were injured in shootings.

Police also launched an investigation into the death of a foreign national in Durban, who reportedly jumped from a building before the protests began. The demonstrations were organized to mark a deadline set by an anti-immigrant movement demanding that undocumented migrants leave South Africa, amid rising anti-immigrant tensions in recent months.

Thousands of Malawian nationals are leaving South Africa following a surge in xenophobic violence targeting foreign workers. Many, including 27-year-old Janet Kapito, have returned home empty-handed after losing their belongings and livelihoods. The Malawian government has arranged buses to repatriate citizens before the June 30 deadline, while well-wishers have raised funds to support those stranded. According to local media, 6,936 Malawians have already returned, and authorities estimate around 10,000 remain at risk in South Africa.

Malawi’s Department of Disaster Management Affairs has activated a comprehensive response plan to ensure safe and dignified returns. South African authorities reported that 15,162 Malawians have been processed for deportation or repatriation. Many returnees said they had taken high-interest loans to migrate and are now struggling to repay them after losing jobs and property during the unrest. Some described hiding in open fields as violence escalated.

Community sources told Al Jazeera that xenophobic attacks often intensify around election periods. With unemployment high in Malawi, returnees face social stigma and economic hardship, and officials expect thousands more to arrive in the coming weeks.

FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee has suspended South African midfielder Themba Zwane for three matches following his red card in the World Cup opening match against Mexico. The decision was announced after reviewing the severity of the foul committed during the game at Azteca Stadium, where South Africa lost 2–0 to the host nation. Zwane, aged 36, was sent off in the 84th minute for striking Mexican defender Roberto Alvarado in the face, just 20 minutes after coming on as a substitute.

The match saw two red cards for South Africa, with midfielder Sphelele Sithole also dismissed earlier in the game, leaving the team with nine players. South Africa’s coach Hugo Broos accepted Sithole’s red card but expressed mild disagreement over Zwane’s dismissal, suggesting the incident might not have warranted such a severe punishment.

Under World Cup regulations, a red card typically results in a one-match suspension. However, FIFA extended Zwane’s ban to three matches due to the foul’s intensity, while confirming that the South African Football Federation retains the right to appeal the decision.

At least twelve people were killed and nine others injured in a shooting at a slum in Johannesburg, South Africa, on the night of June 10, 2026. Police said the attack occurred near a petrol station in the Cleveland area when ten suspects arrived in a white Toyota Quantum vehicle. The attackers entered the slum through two access points and opened fire on residents before fleeing in the same vehicle. Authorities have launched a search operation to locate the suspects, though the motive for the attack remains unclear.

According to police, eight men and three women died at the scene, while one person succumbed to injuries at the hospital. South Africa is among the countries with one of the highest murder rates globally, with an average of about sixty killings per day. Shootings in informal settlements are reported to be common, reflecting ongoing challenges with violent crime and public safety.

Police investigations are ongoing as authorities work to identify the perpetrators and determine the cause of the attack.

The South African national football team’s journey to the World Cup has been delayed indefinitely due to visa complications. The team was scheduled to board a chartered flight on Sunday to join their base camp in Pachuca, Mexico, but several players and staff members had not yet received their visas. As a result, the team was forced to postpone their flight, according to a Reuters report citing the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC).

Head coach Hugo Broos expressed frustration over the administrative failure ahead of such a major tournament. South Africa’s Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie also condemned the situation, calling it extremely embarrassing and unfair to the players. He warned that action would be taken against those responsible for the mishandling.

The World Cup is set to begin on June 11 with the opening match between host nation Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City.

Researchers have warned that whale-ship collisions are becoming increasingly likely off South Africa’s coast as global shipping routes shift due to ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. A study presented at a recent International Whaling Commission meeting found that the country’s southwest coast, known as a key whale habitat, has also become a major alternative maritime route.

The research noted that after a British-owned vehicle carrier was hijacked near Yemen in November 2023, many international vessels began avoiding the Red Sea and rerouting around the Cape of Good Hope. Instability and blockades in the Strait of Hormuz have further pushed shipping companies to use South African waters. Researcher Els Vermeulen said there is now significant spatial overlap between whale habitats and shipping lanes, heightening collision risks.

According to AFP, between March 1 and April 24 this year, an average of 89 commercial ships passed through South African waters daily, compared with 44 during the same period in 2023. Scientists fear the increased traffic could harm marine biodiversity, posing a serious threat to slow-moving species like whales.

A Bangladeshi expatriate named Suman, aged 35, from Abhirampur village in Mirzapur upazila of Tangail, was shot dead in South Africa. According to the report, the incident occurred on Saturday, May 9, when unidentified assailants opened fire at him while he was inside his car in the afternoon local time. He died on the spot, and the news of his death has cast a shadow of grief over his family and community.

Family sources said Suman was the son of Moiz Uddin and had been running a business in Newcastle, South Africa, for several years. The motive behind the killing remains unknown. Suman had returned to Bangladesh three years ago to get married and leaves behind a two-year-old son.

Following the news, police from Mirzapur station visited his home, and Officer-in-Charge Abdullah Al Mamun confirmed that an investigation into the incident is underway.

A Bangladeshi expatriate businessman, Abu Naser Shamim, aged 50 and originally from Noakhali’s Companiganj upazila, was shot dead by armed assailants in front of his business establishment in the Bara area near Johannesburg, South Africa. The attack occurred around 5 p.m. local time on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, when the assailants held a pistol to his head and fired multiple rounds, killing him instantly. The incident has plunged his family and local community into mourning.

According to his son, Abu Rafsan Piyas, Shamim had first migrated to South Africa in 2007 and returned there after a brief stay in Bangladesh to expand his business. He reportedly owned four to five enterprises in South Africa. Recently, he had disputes with a business partner from Noakhali over the sale of a large shop, prompting him to install bulletproof glass and hire a security guard for safety. The murder occurred while he was speaking with the guard outside his shop.

Members of the Bangladeshi expatriate community expressed deep sorrow, while the victim’s family urged the government to ensure a proper investigation and repatriate his body to Bangladesh.

Former South African captain Graeme Smith has expressed his desire to see a Club World Cup in cricket, bringing together champion teams from major franchise leagues such as the IPL, SA20, and Big Bash. Speaking to Olympic.com, Smith, who currently serves as commissioner of South Africa’s SA20 league, said the idea could become reality in the near future as franchise cricket continues to expand globally.

Smith noted that the growing private ownership of franchise teams has created a strong foundation for such a global tournament. He believes a Club World Cup could add new excitement for fans and further boost the popularity of T20 cricket worldwide. According to him, franchise cricket has already built a new ecosystem that supports this vision.

Smith also discussed cricket’s inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, where both men’s and women’s T20 events will feature six teams each. He said the chance to win an Olympic gold medal would inspire the next generation of cricketers with a new dream.

A Bangladeshi expatriate named Sohan, aged 21, from Ranisankail in Thakurgaon, was shot dead by armed assailants in Katlehong, near Johannesburg, South Africa. The incident occurred on Thursday evening while he was working at a shop. According to family sources, the shop owner was present but had gone to fetch a candle after a power outage when several armed men entered and opened fire on Sohan, killing him on the spot. The attackers fled immediately after the shooting.

Preliminary reports suggest that the killing may have stemmed from a business dispute involving the shop’s Bangladeshi owner and a neighboring Somali trader. Local residents believe Sohan became an innocent victim of that ongoing conflict. Sohan was the only son of Dulal Mia from Chikon Mati village under Kashipur Union. His father had sent him abroad after taking loans to improve the family’s financial condition.

Ranisankail police confirmed the incident and said officers were gathering more information. The family has applied through official channels to repatriate his body to Bangladesh.

South Africa has decided to withdraw its troops deployed under the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo. In a statement issued on Saturday night, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that the South African contingent stationed in Congo will be brought back. He informed UN Secretary-General António Guterres of the decision, citing the need to reorganize the country’s armed forces as the main reason for the withdrawal.

According to TRT World, South Africa has participated in the UN peacekeeping mission in Congo for the past 27 years and currently has more than 700 soldiers deployed there. When the mission’s mandate was extended in December last year, around 11,000 troops and police officers were serving under the UN mission. The mission’s primary role is to combat various rebel groups in Congo, where decades of conflict have intensified in recent times.

The statement added that South Africa will coordinate with the UN to finalize the withdrawal timeline and process, aiming to complete it before the end of 2026. Ramaphosa’s office said the country will continue close bilateral relations with Congo and support international efforts for lasting peace.

West Indies claimed a six-run victory under the DLS method against South Africa in the third and final T20 match at Johannesburg’s Wanderers Stadium. The match was reduced to ten overs per side due to rain. Batting first after losing the toss, West Indies posted 114 for three wickets, led by Shai Hope and Shimron Hetmyer, who both scored 48 runs. South Africa were set a revised target of 125 runs but managed only 118 for six wickets.

Despite the defeat, South Africa had already secured the three-match T20 series 2–1 after winning the first two games. Quinton de Kock, who scored 28 runs in this match, was named Player of the Series, while Gudakesh Motie earned the Player of the Match award for his three wickets for 17 runs. The rain interruptions and lightning delays added further drama to the shortened contest.

The result gave West Indies a morale-boosting finish to the series, while South Africa maintained overall dominance with the series win.

South Africa has expelled Israeli diplomat Ariel Sidman, declaring him persona non grata for alleged violations of diplomatic norms. The Department of International Relations and Cooperation announced on Friday that Sidman, the chargé d’affaires at the Israeli embassy, was given 72 hours to leave the country. Authorities accused him of actions that challenged South Africa’s sovereignty and breached acceptable diplomatic conduct.

According to the department’s statement, Sidman allegedly launched insulting attacks on President Cyril Ramaphosa through social media and deliberately failed to inform the ministry about a purported visit by senior Israeli officials. The statement described his behavior as a severe abuse of diplomatic privileges and a fundamental violation of the Vienna Convention, undermining trust and protocol essential to bilateral relations.

The department urged the Israeli government to ensure that its future diplomatic activities respect the principles of the Republic of South Africa and established norms of international engagement.