Thousands Protest Across South Africa, Demand Deportation of Undocumented Migrants

Thousands Protest Across South Africa, Demand Deportation of Undocumented Migrants

Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets across South Africa on Tuesday, calling for the deportation of undocumented migrants amid heightened tensions over immigration, unemployment and crime.

The protests, organised by anti-immigration groups, took place in major cities including Johannesburg and Durban after campaigners declared June 30 as an unofficial deadline for undocumented foreigners to leave the country.

Security was tightened nationwide, with police officers, supported by private security personnel and members of the South African National Defence Force, deployed to prevent violence and maintain order.

The South African Ministry of Police said the demonstrations were largely peaceful, although isolated cases of looting, vandalism and intimidation were recorded.

In Johannesburg, many businesses in the city centre remained closed as police maintained a heavy presence. In the Yeoville suburb, where many African migrants reside, some protesters reportedly threw bricks, damaging property.

Local media also reported that in Germiston, east of Johannesburg, protesters forced people they suspected to be undocumented foreign nationals from their homes and handed them over to police for documentation checks.

Police confirmed the arrest of five people over the alleged looting of a foreign-owned shop in Soweto, while about 10 others were arrested for looting in KwaZulu-Natal Province. Authorities also arrested a woman for allegedly assaulting a police officer and a man over the alleged intimidation and assault of a foreign national.

In Durban, businesses in the central business district also shut their doors as demonstrators marched through the city and submitted memoranda containing their demands to government officials.

Leader of the anti-immigration group March and March, Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, said the group would continue holding weekly protests every Thursday for the next six months until the government addresses illegal immigration.

She maintained that the movement was calling for peaceful demonstrations and was targeting only undocumented migrants.

On the eve of the protests, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa met with leaders of the protest movement in an effort to reduce tensions. The President reiterated that while citizens have the constitutional right to protest, demonstrations must remain peaceful and within the law, adding that immigration enforcement remains the responsibility of the government.

Ramaphosa has repeatedly condemned xenophobia, racism and all forms of intolerance while acknowledging the need for effective immigration reforms.

South African police said about 25,000 undocumented migrants have so far been repatriated, with most returning to other African countries.

Several African governments, including Nigeria, Ghana, Malawi and Uganda, have also facilitated the voluntary return of hundreds of their citizens ahead of the protests, while others continue to await evacuation from South Africa.

Thousands Protest Across South Africa, Demand Deportation of Undocumented Migrants