What's happening
South Africa is experiencing an increase in anti-migrant attacks, according to Al Jazeera reporting published May 23, 2026. While the report covers the broader national situation, Johannesburg—as South Africa's largest city and economic center with a significant immigrant population—has historically been affected by periodic waves of xenophobic violence.
Impact on travelers
Foreign visitors, particularly those from other African nations, may be at elevated risk during this period. Past anti-migrant incidents in South African cities have occasionally involved attacks on anyone perceived as foreign, including tourists in some cases. The current increase in attacks suggests heightened tensions that travelers should be aware of.
What to do
Travelers in Johannesburg should:
- Stay informed about local conditions through their embassy or consulate
- Avoid areas where protests or gatherings are taking place
- Keep identification documents readily accessible
- Exercise increased caution in townships and informal settlements
- Monitor local news for updates on security conditions
The situation remains fluid, and travelers should stay alert to changing conditions throughout their visit.
Cited sources
Reporting from the outlets below.
Frequently asked questions
Is Johannesburg safe to travel to right now?
Anti-migrant violence is increasing in South Africa, posing potential risks to foreign visitors in major cities including Johannesburg. See Kakapo's live Johannesburg safety report for the up-to-date composite score, neighbourhood-by-neighbourhood breakdown, and per-source advisories from US State Dept, UK FCDO, Canadian government, and Australian Smartraveller.
What happened in Johannesburg?
Johannesburg: Rising anti-migrant attacks reported across South Africa. Anti-migrant violence is increasing in South Africa, posing potential risks to foreign visitors in major cities including Johannesburg. This is a trend based on reporting from major travel-news outlets — see the cited sources below for the original coverage.
Should I cancel my trip to Johannesburg?
Most travel-safety events do not require cancelling a planned trip. Read the "What it means for travelers" section above for the specific guidance, check the live Johannesburg safety report for the current overall score, and consult your travel insurance for cancellation eligibility. Kakapo updates the Johannesburg safety profile as new advisories land.
Where can I find more travel safety news?
Kakapo publishes new travel-safety updates as events develop, sourced from BBC, Reuters, the Guardian, Al Jazeera, Deutsche Welle, France 24, US State Dept, and UK FCDO. Visit the live travel-news feed at kakapo.travel/travel-news for the latest.
