African Refugee And Migrants Aid

27/05/2026

ARMA ALERT ON RISING XENOPHOBIC THREATS AND SAFETY CONCERNS

The African Refugees and Migrants Aid (ARMA) is alerting the Government of South Africa, law enforcement agencies, South African citizens, the international community, humanitarian organisations, INGOs, the African Union, SADC, and refugee and migrant communities regarding alarming threats and growing concerns surrounding planned actions and rhetoric targeting migrants, asylum seekers, and refugees on 30 June 2026.

ARMA has received sensitive videos and images allegedly showing victims of xenophobic violence in KwaZulu-Natal Province, where women and men are reportedly being attacked because they are foreign nationals. We are deeply concerned by circulating videos and social media messages suggesting possible mobilisation and threats of violence, including messages referring to the 30 June.

South Africa has previously experienced devastating xenophobic violence. In 2008, xenophobic attacks claimed the lives of 61 people. Further violence in 2015 resulted in 17 deaths, and incidents in 2019 also led to loss of life. These painful moments remain a reminder of the devastating consequences of hatred, intolerance, and violence.

ARMA calls upon:

• The Government of South Africa and law enforcement agencies to urgently strengthen preventative measures and ensure the protection of all people within South Africa’s borders.

• African leaders, SADC, the African Union, humanitarian organisations, and the international community to publicly condemn xenophobia and support efforts promoting peace, social cohesion, and protection of vulnerable communities.

• Community leaders, South African citizens, refugees, migrants, and asylum seekers to reject violence, misinformation, and incitement that could place lives at risk.

No person should face violence because of nationality, migration status, or origin. Innocent lives must be protected.

ARMA urges immediate action before further harm occurs.

"Human dignity, safety, and protection must remain at the centre of our shared humanity."

Oxfam
UNHCR Southern Africa
United Nations
Kopanang Africa Against Xenophobia - KAAX
SA Human Rights Commission
SADC
United Nations Foundation

24/05/2026

24/05/2026

🎤 ARMA in Action | Standing Up for Refugees, Asylum Seekers, and Migrants

Yesterday, African Refugee And Migrants Aid (ARMA) had the opportunity to intervene and share critical concerns during an interview with SABC News, amplifying the voices of refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants facing challenges within our communities.

ARMA remains committed to advocacy, protection, and promoting the rights and dignity of displaced and vulnerable populations. Through dialogue, engagement, and public awareness, we continue to push for justice, inclusion, and humanitarian support for all.

We thank SABC News for providing a platform to raise important issues affecting refugee and migrant communities.

📢 Your voice matters. Together, we build stronger, safer, and more inclusive communities.

For full Details:

https://youtu.be/wrR8ncVVCso?si=0WiiYhx8PUfJjwd4

masifunde learner development
UNHCR Southern Africa
Southern Africa Refugee Organisations Forum
SADC
SA Human Rights Commission
United Nations
NRC - Norwegian Refugee Council
Oxfam
UNHCR
IOM - UN Migration
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency

This week saw scores of foreign nationals sleeping outside the refu...

23/05/2026

22/05/2026

MEDIA STATEMENT

Condemnation of Excessive Force Used Against Refugees, Asylum Seekers and Migrants at eThekwini Central Police Station

Condemnation of Excessive Force Used Against Refugees, Asylum Seekers and Migrants at eThekwini Central Police Station.

21/05/2026

21/05/2026

Press release:

CoRMSA Strongly Condemns the Growing Climate of Fear and Hostility Against Refugees and Migrants in Durban and Across the Country.

The Consortium for Refugees and Migrants in South Africa (CoRMSA), through media reports as well as information received from member organisations and partners, has learned and observed with grave concern the deeply disturbing developments unfolding in recent days, marked by growing hostility, intimidation, and violence directed at refugees and migrants in Durban and across the country.

CoRMSA strongly condemns the unlawful conduct, acts of intimidation, threats, and vigilante-style actions reportedly carried out during recent marches and demonstrations targeting foreign nationals. Equally alarming and unacceptable are reports and visual evidence suggesting the excessive use of force by members of law enforcement agencies against refugees and migrants, many of whom are vulnerable persons seeking protection and safety under the very institutions mandated to uphold and protect their rights.

In addition to the above, CoRMSA remains gravely concerned that uncontrolled and unmonitored inflammatory rhetoric, misinformation, and unlawful mobilisation against migrants and refugees continue to fuel xenophobic tensions and expose vulnerable communities to serious risks of violence, displacement, intimidation, and other human rights violations. Experience and history in South Africa have repeatedly demonstrated that such hostility, if left unchecked, can rapidly escalate into widespread violence and attacks with devastating humanitarian and social consequences.

These developments offer no progressive benefit to the country but stand in direct contradiction to the values enshrined in South Africa’s Constitution, which is founded on the principles of human dignity, equality, freedom, and the rule of law, and is supported by other valuable pieces of legislation. No individual or group has the authority to unlawfully target, harass, assault, intimidate, or forcibly remove another person on the basis of nationality, migration status, race, or ethnicity. The actions witnessed in Durban and other parts of the country represent a dangerous erosion of constitutional democracy and pose a serious threat to social cohesion, public safety, and the rule of law.

The South African Police Service and all relevant authorities have a constitutional duty to protect all persons within the Republic without fear, favour, or prejudice, and must not participate in, enable, or tolerate unlawful acts against vulnerable communities. Therefore, we call for the immediate end to all acts of intimidation, violence, and xenophobic mobilisation targeting refugees and migrants, as well as urgent accountability for any abuse of power or excessive force by law enforcement officials, especially members of the South African Police Service, and unlawful conduct by anti-migrant social movements.

CoRMSA further urges government leaders, UN agencies, public representative institutions, the Independent Police Investigative Directorate and all sectors of society to uphold constitutional values and international values, reject vigilantism and hate-driven actions, and ensure the protection, dignity, and equal treatment of asylum seekers, refugees, and migrants in accordance with South African and international law.

We also encourage leaders within refugee, migrant, and local communities to continue exercising calm, responsible, and constructive leadership, including promoting messages that foster peace, restraint, and social cohesion, while avoiding actions or rhetoric that may unintentionally heighten tensions or place vulnerable community members at greater risk.

Black Sash Refugee Social ServicesCatholic Archdiocese of Durban Refugee Pastoral Care Congolese Civil Society of South Africa African Solidarity Campaign - Afrisoc Kopanang Africa Against Xenophobia - KAAX Amnesty International South Africa African Centre for Migration & Society, Wits University Messina Legal Advice Office Department of Home Affairs HIAS South Africa UNHCR Southern Africa Nelson Mandela University Refugee Rights Centre Migrant Workers Association South Africa South African Police Service SABC News Newsroom ZA IOM South Africa

Issued by the Consortium for Refugees and Migrants in South Africa (CoRMSA) on behalf of its 33 member organisations across South Africa. For media enquiries and further information, please contact: [email protected] | [email protected]. Website: www.cormsa.org.za

20/05/2026

20/05/2026