{
  "id": 16742303,
  "title": "PODCAST: How migrants survive xenophobia and the shadowy ‘volunteers’ who target them",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/27/podcast-how-migrants-survive-xenophobia-and-the-shadowy-volunteers",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-27T12:14:47.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Maverick",
    "slug": "daily-maverick",
    "url": "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-10-27-how-migrants-survive-xenophobia-and-the-shadowy-volunteers-who-target-them/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "\"The Volunteers\" is a four-part podcast series that delves into the experiences of migrants in Johannesburg, particularly how they navigate xenophobia and the shadowy \"volunteers\" who target them. Every African migrant, whether legal or undocumented, dreads being subjected to enforcement, which comes in three forms: vigilantes, police, and the volunteers. The first two are easily identifiable, but the volunteers are shrouded in mystery, operating mainly in Johannesburg's central business district where many migrants reside, work, and commute. Many of these \"volunteers\" act as the eyes and ears of the police, but they primarily focus on migrants, using their power for extortion and bribes, earning them the nickname \"South Africa's ICE,\" a reference to the US' notorious Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The podcast series uncovers the inner workings of these volunteers, their motivations, and the impact they have on migrants' lives. The stories of ordinary migrants in Johannesburg, their journeys, and their struggles with discrimination are also shared. The series highlights how migrants cope with these challenges, often turning to their communities for support, whether it be through churches or WhatsApp groups. The podcast also explores the existence of a Johannesburg court dedicated to pursuing migrants, where foreign nationals face almost certain deportation. The series is hosted by Tebadi Mmotla and Charles Leonard, independent journalists and podcasters who have been working together for seven years. Leonard, a multi-award-winning journalist with nearly four decades of experience, and Mmotla, one of South Africa's top young journalists, bring their expertise to the series, made possible by funding from the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation.",
  "summary": "The Volunteers is a four-part narrative and investigative podcast series about migrants in Johannesburg and how they survive, especially in a time of heightened xenophobia.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": "The existence of these shadowy volunteers transforms Johannesburg into a landscape of extortion where migrants face predatory enforcement that bypasses formal police accountability through bribery and intimidation.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}