Mass protests sweep South Africa as demonstrators demand deportation of undocumented migrants

Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets across South Africa on Tuesday, demanding the departure of undocumented foreign nationals after weeks of anti-illegal immigration protests that have left four people dead and prompted thousands of migrants to return to their home countries. Police and soldiers were deployed in several cities as authorities sought to prevent unrest during the nationwide demonstrations.

The marches marked the culmination of demonstrations organised by citizen-led groups that had set an unofficial June 30 deadline for undocumented foreign nationals to leave South Africa.

Police maintained a strong presence throughout the country, while isolated incidents of stone-pelting and confrontations were reported near Johannesburg, where security personnel escorted some foreign nationals away from an angry crowd.

More from World

Authorities said several people were arrested for looting, while soldiers were deployed overnight in Johannesburg and Durban.

In Johannesburg, protesters carrying sticks and flags marched through the city centre as many shops remained closed, transport hubs were largely deserted and many workers stayed at home.

In Durban, protesters dressed in traditional Zulu warrior attire marched with spears, shields, whips and leopard skins.

Demonstrator Brightness Gumbi, 48, said she was frustrated at not being able to rent premises for her business while foreign nationals continued operating shops.

"The illegal foreigners manage to pay it because they sell drugs to our people," she told AFP. "I hope through these demonstrations our president will hear our cries and enforce stricter laws."

Government steps up repatriation efforts

South Africa, one of Africa's wealthiest economies, continues to attract migrant workers while facing unemployment above 30 per cent, high crime rates and pressure on public services.

Groups behind the protests accuse undocumented migrants of taking jobs and straining public resources, while analysts say foreign nationals are being blamed for broader governance failures.

Police said at least two Mozambicans, an Ethiopian and a Malawian have been killed during recent protests.

On Tuesday, police also reported that a foreign national died after allegedly jumping from the eighth floor of a building in Durban, apparently fearing he was being pursued.

As tensions increased, governments, including Nigeria, Malawi, Ghana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique, arranged voluntary repatriation flights and buses for their citizens.

Authorities said on Monday that more than 25,000 people had been processed for departure in recent weeks.

Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi told reporters late Tuesday that nearly 4,300 foreign nationals had been repatriated over the past few days, while more than 400 had been deported.

The Liberian government also announced it was arranging flights to return 29 Liberian nationals.

"We want mass deportation," the leader of the anti-illegal immigrant March and March group, Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, told a crowd in Durban.

"For the next six months we want the government to get rid of the people who have not left," she said, vowing that her group would continue holding weekly demonstrations until local elections in November.

Migrants await assistance to return home

As protests unfolded across several cities, hundreds of migrants, mainly from Malawi and Zimbabwe, gathered in Cape Town, Johannesburg and other centres while waiting for assistance to return home.

Some said they had lost their jobs or been forced out of rented accommodation as employers and landlords feared attacks or penalties.

"The people in South Africa, they don't want us here. I'm scared," said a 23-year-old Zimbabwean woman, who asked to remain anonymous, in Cape Town, where more than 1,500 people were awaiting repatriation.

Only a few dozen Malawians remained at a site in Durban after several thousand had been transported in recent days either to Malawi or to a processing centre near the Zimbabwe border.

"I thought I could stay on but neighbours warned us last night," 32-year-old Adam John told AFP. "I felt that it is better to try and get home while I still can."

Government tightens immigration measures

Ahead of the June 30 demonstrations, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced stronger measures to combat illegal immigration, including tighter border controls and increased inspections.

South Africa has witnessed deadly anti-foreigner violence before. In 2008, riots targeting foreign nationals left 62 people dead.