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| Protest in Durban - many businesses in the city are shut. Photo credit: Naijabrain |
Thousands March as Anti-Immigration Protests Sweep South Africa
Thousands of anti-immigration protesters marched across South Africa on Tuesday, demanding the removal of undocumented foreigners as security agencies deployed heavily to prevent violence.
The demonstrations came after an unofficial June 30 deadline set by anti-migration campaigners for undocumented migrants to leave the country, raising fresh fears among foreign nationals, including Nigerians.
Videos shared online showed large crowds marching through Johannesburg, chanting for undocumented immigrants to leave South Africa.
According to the BBC, police were deployed nationwide amid concerns that the protests could turn violent.
Ahead of the demonstrations, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa appealed for calm, urging protesters to avoid "intimidation, threats or ultimatums" while acknowledging the need for immigration reforms.
Although the protests were largely peaceful, the BBC reported isolated cases of looting and attempted looting.
In Johannesburg, many businesses remained closed as police maintained a strong presence across the city. In Yeoville, a suburb with a large African migrant population, some protesters allegedly hurled bricks at residential buildings, smashing windows.
Police arrested five people in Soweto over the alleged looting of a foreign-owned shop, while another five suspects were detained in Hammarsdale, KwaZulu-Natal, over the alleged break-in of a tuck shop.
The protests also heightened anxiety among Nigerians living in South Africa.
On Monday, dozens gathered at the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria, fearing possible xenophobic attacks. While some said they felt safer at the mission, others who had registered for evacuation said they remained stranded after missing the latest evacuation flight.
The BBC reported that many undocumented migrants had already fled to avoid violence and intimidation, while South African police said about 25,000 people—mostly from other African countries—had been repatriated.
One undocumented Malawian preparing to leave the country told the broadcaster he was "happy to be going back" but "heartbroken" to leave behind his four young children.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has continued its voluntary evacuation of Nigerians willing to return from South Africa.
A fresh batch of 271 returnees arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Tuesday aboard an Air Peace flight from Johannesburg.
The returnees were received by officials of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), and the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM).
The evacuation is part of the government's ongoing efforts to support Nigerians opting to return home amid rising anti-immigration tensions in South Africa.