Foreign Roots, Local Struggles

Princess Adjei, a Durban native who grew up in Ghana,
learned Zulu, made friends, and never felt like an outsider. In November she opened a hair salon downtown—her dream and the place where locals trusted her work.

The Raid

On May 18, angry crowds burst into the salon.

• Windows smashed
• All items—hair pieces, nails, dryers, shampoos—stolen

Adjei lost more than $3,000 in repairs and tools essential to her livelihood. Without the salon she could not pay rent.

Homelessness and Uncertainty

After the raid, Adjei and her 14‑year‑old son had no home.
They slept on the street beside other migrants fleeing violence and gathered outside the Department of Home Affairs, hoping officials would confirm their legal status.

Context: A Wave of Xenophobia

The attacks are part of a larger wave of xenophobic protests.

• Groups claiming to fight “illegal immigration” organize marches that often turn violent.
• They blame foreigners for jobs and services, especially during economic strain.

Police responses have been limited:

• After protests that killed five Mozambicans, the police only escorted some migrants to shelters that were already full.
• The next day they told them to leave, then used rubber bullets and tear gas against the crowd.

Community Reaction

Some locals have turned hostile. A former friend of Adjei’s now asked her to leave the city.
Yet others still offer support: a Congolese refugee reached out, asking if everything was okay.

Expert Insight

Experts say the fear of competition fuels these attacks.
Politicians sometimes use anti‑migrant rhetoric to win votes, especially before elections. The violence shows how fragile the safety of those who have lived in South Africa for years can be.