Anti migrant protests across South Africa are beginning to hit the country’s digital economy, with delivery platforms such as Uber Eats experiencing disruptions as thousands of migrant workers stay off the roads over safety concerns.
The protests, which spread across parts of Johannesburg and Gauteng Province, affected food delivery services, ride hailing operations, and logistics activities that rely heavily on migrant labour. Reports showed that several riders avoided work during the demonstrations due to fears of harassment, attacks, and violence linked to the anti migrant movement.
South Africa’s delivery economy has grown rapidly in recent years, with platforms such as Uber Eats, Bolt Food, and Mr D depending largely on migrant workers for daily operations. Many delivery riders and drivers in the country come from Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Pakistan, and other African countries. The protests exposed how dependent the sector has become on migrant labour and how quickly operations slow down once those workers are unable to work.
According to the Africa Diaspora Forum, migrant workers make up a major part of the workforce powering South Africa’s on demand economy. As tensions increased during the protests, many riders reportedly chose to remain indoors to avoid becoming targets. This led to delayed deliveries, reduced rider availability, and slower services across several locations.
The demonstrations were driven by growing frustration over unemployment, crime, and pressure on public services, with some groups accusing migrants of taking jobs from South Africans. However, analysts and advocacy groups argued that the country’s economic challenges are more deeply connected to structural issues such as inequality, slow economic growth, and weak job creation.
Authorities responded by increasing security across Gauteng Province ahead of the demonstrations. Reports indicated that drones, helicopters, thousands of police officers, and more than 33,000 CCTV cameras were deployed to monitor activities and contain possible violence. Despite these measures, several incidents of unrest, looting, and arrests were still recorded during the protests.
Reuters reported that more than 900 people were arrested nationwide during the demonstrations, while many migrant families reportedly fled their homes and workplaces due to fear of attacks. Beyond the immediate delivery disruptions, the protests have raised wider concerns about the sustainability of South Africa’s platform economy. Businesses and investors are now being reminded that sectors built on vulnerable labour systems can quickly become unstable during periods of social tension and political unrest.
For many observers, the situation is no longer only about immigration. It has become a deeper conversation about economic pressure, labour dependence, inequality, and the fragile structure supporting South Africa’s growing digital economy.
