NAIROBI, Kenya (RNS) — After nearly two months of sustained anti-migrant unrest across parts of South Africa, Christian leaders are intensifying efforts to calm tensions, support displaced communities and discourage vigilante violence that has pushed more than <\/span>160,000 foreign nationals<\/span><\/a> to leave the country.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n The violence, which began weeks ago and has persisted in waves across several provinces, has included protests, intimidation and attacks targeting undocumented migrants. While some demonstrations have remained peaceful, others have turned deadly. According to figures <\/span>compiled by AFP<\/span><\/a> from governments repatriating their citizens, at least 12 people have died during the unrest.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n Religious leaders say they have been steadily engaging communities, issuing pastoral guidance and providing humanitarian assistance as the crisis has unfolded.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n At a recent Global Day of Prayer event, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, founder of the global Pentecostal ministry Christ Embassy, reiterated calls he and other faith leaders have made over recent weeks for restraint and respect for the rule of law.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n “Don’t destroy your own country while you’re thinking that you’re trying to save it from these immigrants,” Oyakhilome said.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n While acknowledging that concerns about crime and undocumented migration have been building for years, he emphasized that individuals must not take enforcement into their own hands.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n “There’s a process; there’s a way to do it,” he said, adding that suspects should be handed over to law enforcement rather than subjected to violence.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n Oyakhilome also warned that mob action, once normalized, can spiral beyond control and damage entire communities.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n “A mob is as bad as fire, as bad as a flood,” he said. “It can destroy a whole city, destroy a whole country.”<\/span> <\/b><\/p>\n For over a decade, South Africa has experienced periodic outbreaks of mob violence fueled by public frustration over crime, economic hardship and perceptions of government inaction. Human rights organizations say<\/a> xenophobic attacks have recurred since at least 2008, when violence targeting migrants from elsewhere in Africa left more than 60 people dead and displaced tens of thousands. Similar outbreaks in 2015 and 2019 saw foreign-owned businesses looted and migrants attacked, reinforcing a pattern in which public anger has targeted outsiders.<\/span><\/p>\n As the unrest continues, churches across affected areas have increasingly taken on frontline roles — not only condemning violence but also responding to its consequences. Congregations have opened their doors to displaced families, provided food and temporary shelter and offered trauma counseling to victims who have lost homes, businesses and livelihoods.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n The scale of departures underscores the severity of the crisis. <\/span>According to an AFP tally based on figures released by repatriating governments, Zimbabwe reported more than 108,000 citizens had returned home by mid-July, Malawi reported more than 46,000 returnees since early June and Mozambique reported nearly 2,000 returnees. Other governments, including those of Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda and Lesotho, also assisted citizens who chose to leave South Africa.<\/span><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/religionnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/webRNS-Migrants01-427x285.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/religionnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/webRNS-Migrants03-427x285.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/religionnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/webRNS-Migrants04-427x285.jpg\")
<\/p>\n