Lead

South African police were deployed in force across the country on Tuesday to forestall unrest and protests, as anti-immigrant groups' unofficial deadline for undocumented foreign nationals to leave the country fell. The deadline comes after a weeks-long campaign that has sent thousands fleeing and claimed at least four lives.

Officers were out in force to prevent violence and looting, while hundreds of foreign nationals took refuge in several cities, urgently seeking help to leave. Most shops stayed shuttered and the streets of downtown Johannesburg were unusually quiet, with police fanning out across the city as commuters made their way to work.

Coverage Comparison

Africa News and France 24 — English both reported that police were deployed to head off unrest and that the unofficial deadline had pushed thousands to flee. They noted that hundreds of foreign nationals had taken refuge in several cities and that at least two Mozambicans, an Ethiopian and a Malawian had been killed in anti-immigrant violence over recent weeks. Both also reported that Uganda had announced an evacuation plan for nearly 750 of its citizens.

RFI — English, in its coverage, reported that thousands of people marched in cities across South Africa, that at least four lives had been claimed in the weeks-long campaign, and that President Cyril Ramaphosa had announced stepped-up government plans to combat illegal immigration.

All three outlets described the protests as being mobilised by a loose coalition of minor political parties and small citizen-led vigilante groups, which analysts say appear to be well organised and have a strong social media presence.

Key Claims

  • South African police were deployed in force across the country on Tuesday to forestall unrest and protests, as the unofficial deadline set by anti-immigrant groups for undocumented foreign nationals to leave fell.
  • Thousands of people marched in cities across South Africa to demand the departure of undocumented foreign nationals. In Johannesburg, marchers waved flags and placards while police in bulletproof jackets and riot helmets watched. In Durban, protesters turned out in traditional warrior attire, some draped in leopard skins, and at least four armoured vehicles were stationed along the route, with a police helicopter hovering overhead.
  • Protester Selwyn Anderson, a 64-year-old pensioner, told AFP that he believed undocumented foreign nationals had taken over many of the country's small businesses.
  • Brightness Gumbi, 48, who runs a kitchen business in a Durban township, said she joined the protest after years of struggling to secure an affordable place for her business. "The illegal foreigners manage to pay it because they sell drugs to our people," she told French news agency AFP. "I hope through these demonstrations our president will hear our cries and enforce stricter laws."
  • Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, leader of the anti-immigrant March and March group, told reporters last week that 30 June would launch "a national march to freedom, a rolling mass action" until all undocumented foreign nationals were deported. She added: "We are not calling for violence... No one will be killed on the 30th of June and no looting will [occur]."
  • At least two Mozambicans, an Ethiopian and a Malawian have been killed in anti-immigrant violence over recent weeks, as reported by Africa News and France 24 — English. RFI — English put the toll at at least four lives claimed in the weeks-long campaign.
  • Several African governments have organised planes or buses to repatriate their citizens. Uganda announced an evacuation plan for nearly 750 of its citizens.
  • Landlords in Johannesburg and Durban were evicting foreign tenants for fear of their buildings being vandalised, witnesses said. Mabako Majole, a leader of the Congolese community, said next to a crowd of about 100 people: "All these people, they were chased out by their landlords."
  • President Cyril Ramaphosa announced stepped-up government plans to combat illegal immigration, as reported by RFI — English.
  • Labour analyst Dale McKinley told AFP that the anti-migrant push has been "politically weaponised" ahead of local government elections in November. "The xenophobic groups have got it wrong," he said. "This is a problem of governance, corruption..." (the quote continues in the source but is cut off)

Perspectives

Anti-immigrant protesters: Protesters in Durban and Johannesburg expressed frustration over competition for business and claimed that undocumented foreign nationals were taking over small businesses and selling drugs. They called for stricter laws and deportation of all undocumented foreign nationals.

Government and analysts: President Cyril Ramaphosa announced stepped-up plans to combat illegal immigration, while labour analyst Dale McKinley said the anti-migrant push has been "politically weaponised" ahead of local elections, framing it as a problem of governance rather than a solution to unemployment.

Foreign nationals and affected communities: Hundreds of foreign nationals took refuge in several cities, seeking help to leave. Landlords in Johannesburg and Durban were evicting foreign tenants, and leaders like Mabako Majole described how people were "chased out by their landlords."