Nationwide Anti-Immigrant Protests Trigger Mass Departures From South Africa

Thousands of people protested across South Africa on Tuesday demanding undocumented foreign nationals leave the country, as rising anti-immigrant tensions forced many migrants to flee.

The demonstrations followed weeks of unrest, looting and attacks that have already claimed four lives and prompted several African governments to evacuate their citizens.

In Johannesburg, protesters marched through largely deserted streets while police in riot gear monitored the situation. Security forces also escorted some foreign nationals away from hostile crowds armed with sticks.

Durban saw demonstrators dressed in traditional Zulu warrior clothing carrying spears, shields and whips during marches calling for stricter immigration enforcement.

“The illegal foreigners manage to pay it because they sell drugs to our people,” protester Brightness Gumbi told AFP.

“I hope through these demonstrations our president will hear our cries and enforce stricter laws.”

In Cape Town, a smaller protest was held alongside a counter-demonstration against xenophobia and Afrophobia.

South Africa continues to struggle with unemployment above 30 percent, with anti-immigrant groups blaming undocumented migrants for job losses and pressure on public services.

“South Africans have been replaced by illegal foreigners, increasing unemployment,” anti-immigration campaigner Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma told supporters in Durban.

“We want mass deportation,” she added.

Police said the latest violence left two Mozambicans, one Ethiopian and one Malawian dead.

Countries including Nigeria, Ghana, Malawi, Zimbabwe and Mozambique have organised buses and flights to repatriate citizens voluntarily.

Authorities disclosed on Monday that over 25,000 migrants had already been processed for departure.

Many migrants gathered at temporary shelters while waiting for transportation out of the country.

“The people in South Africa, they don’t want us here. I’m scared,” a Zimbabwean woman told AFP.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has pledged stronger action against illegal immigration and appealed for calm amid fears of further unrest ahead of local government elections later this year.

South Africa has a history of deadly xenophobic violence, including riots in 2008 that killed 62 people.

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