Heavy Police Presence as South Africa’s Anti‑Immigration Protests Escalate

Anti‑immigration protesters have taken to streets across South Africa, demanding that undocumented foreigners leave the country by a set deadline. The marches are coordinated nationwide, with thousands gathering in Durban, Johannesburg, and other cities.

President Cyril Ramaphosa urged demonstrators to abstain from intimidation or violent tactics, warning that such actions could be deemed criminal. He stressed that legal residents are “entitled to the protection of our laws and Constitution” and called for peaceful resistance.

Police have been deployed in record numbers: five squads in Johannesburg and Soweto, additional forces in KwaZulu‑Natal, and a visible presence along major avenues. The authorities have detained several participants for alleged theft and vandalism, highlighting the tension between demonstrators and law enforcement.

Reports indicate that about 25,000 undocumented migrants have already been repatriated, mainly from Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria and Zimbabwe. Authorities say 500 Nigerians were deported for lacking proper documentation, a claim disputed by the Nigerian government.

In Durban, tented transit camps were dismantled as actors hurried to escort migrants onto buses for return journeys. The emotional impact on families and the city’s economy is significant, with many businesses shuttering during the unrest.

Xenophobia has long plagued South Africa, historically culminating in recurrent violence. The current wave of protests might prompt new migration reforms, though the path forward remains uncertain.