Burundian refugees seek UN action over abuse from south Africans

Burundian refugees in South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province are calling for urgent intervention after reporting violence, intimidation and growing exclusion from daily life, according to a report published by RPA.

Refugees interviewed by the outlet said fear has spread across parts of the province as anti-immigrant groups allegedly target foreign nationals, leaving many unable to work normally and forcing some businesses, including shops and salons, to shut down.

The report also describes claims of property damage and pressure on families already living in fragile conditions.

The appeal comes against a broader backdrop of recurring xenophobic pressure in South Africa. UNHCR has previously warned about violence against foreign nationals, including refugees and asylum-seekers, during earlier waves of attacks in the country.

In the KwaZulu-Natal case, Burundian refugees say access to essential services has become harder, especially in healthcare and education. Those claims fit into a wider national debate that has intensified in recent months, with anti-migrant activism in South Africa drawing renewed scrutiny over attempts to block foreigners from clinics and schools.

South African law provides a legal framework for refugee protection through the Refugees Act, while UNHCR’s South Africa platform says support services for refugees and asylum-seekers are available in the country.

Burundian refugees are now urging both UNHCR and South African authorities to move beyond declarations and ensure practical protection on the ground. Their demands center on safety, access to basic services and a halt to abuses they say are worsening their living conditions.