Thousands protest across S’Africa as anti-immigration demonstrations trigger tension, violence

Thousands of South Africans marched across major cities on Tuesday in coordinated anti-immigration protests demanding the removal of undocumented foreign nationals.

This prompted a massive security deployment as authorities sought to prevent widespread violence and looting.

The demonstrations, organised by the “March and March” movement, Operation Dudula and a coalition of smaller political parties and citizen-led groups, marked the expiry of an unofficial June 30 deadline they had set for undocumented migrants to leave the country.

Despite the South African government declaring Tuesday a normal working day, business activities were significantly disrupted.

Most shops, according to reports, remained closed, public transport services were sparse, and many workers stayed away from their workplaces as fears of unrest spread across affected cities.

Police officers were deployed in large numbers in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban, Cape Town and other major centres to contain the protests and prevent attacks on foreign nationals. Hundreds of migrants reportedly sought refuge in safe locations, fearing reprisals from protesters.

While organisers insisted the demonstrations were largely peaceful and involved the submission of memoranda to government authorities, isolated incidents of violence were reported in several locations.

Near Johannesburg, security personnel escorted a number of foreign nationals away from an angry crowd carrying large sticks after protesters allegedly confronted people they believed were undocumented migrants.

In Johannesburg, residents told local media that splinter groups broke away from the main march, throwing stones at buildings, damaging vehicles and vandalising property.

Television footage from the city’s financial district showed at least one vehicle set ablaze as police fired warning shots to disperse violent protesters.

In Thembisa, north of Johannesburg, clashes erupted after rioters hurled stones at police officers and people suspected to be migrants.

Witnesses also reported hearing sporadic gunfire near the city’s central business district.

In Durban, hundreds of protesters marched through the streets wearing traditional Zulu warrior regalia, including leopard skins, shields, spears and whips, as they chanted slogans demanding stricter immigration enforcement.

The protests followed weeks of mobilisation by anti-immigration groups campaigning against what they describe as the growing presence of undocumented foreign nationals in South Africa.

Authorities maintained a heavy security presence throughout the day amid concerns that the demonstrations could escalate into widespread xenophobic attacks similar to previous outbreaks of anti-foreigner violence in the country.

According to reports, the latest wave of unrest follows earlier incidents that have already claimed four lives and displaced thousands of foreign nationals, many of whom have sought temporary shelter while appealing for assistance to leave affected communities.

Despite the isolated violence, some participants maintained that the protests achieved their objective peacefully.

“The march has been peaceful, with organisers handing over a memorandum to our government,” one protester said.

Police continued monitoring flashpoints across the country as authorities appealed for calm and warned that anyone involved in violence, looting or attacks on individuals would face the full weight of the law.