Anti-migrant protests and the departure of foreign workers are disrupting businesses across South Africa.

Authorities have reportedly processed about 67 000 migrants for deportation or voluntary repatriation in recent weeks.

Zimbabwe has separately said almost 100 000 of its citizens have returned home since late May.

Economist Mpho Lenoke of North-West University warned that a rapid outflow of migrant workers could reduce productivity and slow economic growth.

He said the immediate impact would likely be negative unless broader policies addressed skills shortages, unemployment and labour-market challenges.

Delivery and e-hailing affected

The disruption is being felt in delivery and e-hailing services.

Tella Masakale of the National E-Hailing Federation of South Africa said at least half of e-hailing drivers are migrant workers.

He said there had been a noticeable shortage of drivers since anti-immigrant protests peaked on 30 June.

This has reportedly pushed up prices on some services.

Migrants are also estimated to account for 70% of Shoprite’s Sixty60 delivery fleet of nearly 10 000 motorcycle riders.

One Johannesburg-based driver from Lesotho said seven of the 10 riders he started working with in June had already left South Africa.

Shoprite declined to comment on the latest disruption.

SweepSouth records cancellations

SweepSouth, which connects households with domestic workers, recorded its highest rate of lost bookings since the Covid-19 period.

CEO Lourandi Kriel said transport disruptions and safety concerns were the main causes.

She said the number of lost bookings on 30 June alone exceeded what the platform would normally record in an entire month.

A Zimbabwean domestic worker, Nadia Nyamayaro, said she left her job near Cape Town because of safety concerns.

Textile sector loses workers

The textile industry has also been affected.

Siyabonga Ntombela of the Southern African Clothing and Textile Workers’ Union said hundreds of foreign workers had left Newcastle.

The union estimates that about 15% of the workforce in the textile hub has departed.

Lenoke said some jobs may become available to South Africans, but warned that low wages, difficult conditions and transport costs could make vacancies hard to fill.

Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi said many South Africans believe employers choose foreign workers because they are more vulnerable and less likely to demand basic employment conditions.

The disruptions highlight how deeply migrant labour is linked to several parts of South Africa’s economy.