In South Africa, the situation has escalated as thousands of police and military personnel have been deployed nationwide, following large-scale anti-immigration protests that took place on Tuesday. This date was designated by certain vigilante groups, marking a deadline for all illegal immigrants to exit the country or face serious repercussions.
On that day, it was reported that at least 120 protests occurred, with thousands participating. However, some of these protests became violent, prompting police action that resulted in around 900 arrests.
One of the most significant demonstrations unfolded in Durban, where numerous participants, dressed in traditional Zulu attire, chanted “Abahambe” (which translates to “They must go!”). Many protesters carried clubs, whips, and traditional Zulu weapons and shields.
“We know they are here. We know these places well. They have to go. We told them to leave by June 30th. We’re being polite about it. We’re not going to hurt them. They just need to leave,” one protester remarked, as a crowd gathered near apartments thought to house migrants.
Another protester reflected, “Initially, I doubted that these protests would lead to any changes. But then I noticed they were having an impact; illegal immigrants started departing the country.”
Reports indicate that at least four people have died in connection with the unrest. One victim was a foreigner who leaped from an eighth-floor balcony in Durban, fearing attacks from protesters. Many immigrants, sometimes assisted by their home countries, scrambled to meet the June 30 deadline.
Witnesses noted that businesses closed in advance of the protests to minimize vandalism risks, and some landlords evicted foreign tenants to avoid becoming targets themselves. Local media also reported instances of protesters looting makeshift shelters in Soweto where migrants resided.
A key organizer from a group called March and March stated they could not be held accountable for the violence or property damage, as they cannot dictate the actions of every participant.
“For the next six months, we’re requesting that national resources be utilized to expel illegal immigrants from every building,” declared Jacinta Ngobese, the leader of March and March.
“We demand mass deportations. We want the government to ensure that those who haven’t left during this next six months are removed,” she affirmed.
Jackson Makungwa, a Malawian immigrant, shared his experience of living in South Africa unlawfully for two years after being unable to renew his work permit. He decided to leave after witnessing violence against fellow Malawians, though he had to leave behind his child with a South African mother due to travel documentation issues.
“I don’t want to be here illegally, but the system makes it impossible to stay legally,” he explained.
Moreover, other immigrants reported job losses as employers grew anxious with the approaching deadline, while some faced eviction, even if they had legal documentation.
