‘Leave or return in a coffin’: The threat driving migrants out of South Africa

Anti-migrant rallies and a “leave by June 30” ultimatum have sparked threats, attacks and a migrant exodus in South Africa — individual stories include foreigners being told to “leave now or you’ll leave in a coffin.”
The government has condemned the violence, put security forces on alert and reported thousands of recent deportations and repatriations as police investigate several deadly attacks.
Deep unemployment and stark inequality are fueling resentment and scapegoating of migrants, reviving memories of past waves of xenophobic violence.