Thousands of anti-migrant protesters march in South Africa amid heavy police presence
✓Thousands of people are marching in South Africa's main cities to demand that all undocumented migrants leave the country.
Police officers - backed by private security guards - have been deployed because of fears that protests could turn violent. Anti-migrant groups had set Tuesday as the deadline for undocumented migrants to leave.
Many foreigners have already fled to escape violence and intimidation. South African police say 25,000 have been repatriated so far. Most are from other African countries.
One undocumented Malawian told the BBC he was "happy to be going back" but "heartbroken" to be leaving behind four young children.
The Ministry of Police said the protests were largely peaceful across the country, with isolated incidents of looting and attempted looting.
Johannesburg, where one of the protests is taking place, is unusually quiet. Shops in the city centre are closed, while police visibility is high on major streets.
Some protesters threw bricks, breaking the windows of some homes in Yeoville, a suburb in Johannesburg where many African migrants live.
Police said they had arrested five people for the alleged looting of a foreign-owned shop in Johannesburg's biggest township, Soweto.
About 10 people were also arrested for looting in KwaZulu-Natal province, while a woman was arrested for assaulting a police officer and a man for "intimidation" following reports of a foreign national being beaten up, police said.
Many businesses in central Durban, the main city in the province, are also shut. A police helicopter has been circling the city.
President Cyril Ramaphosa met some of the protest leaders on the eve of the marches in a bid to defuse tensions.
He has repeatedly warned demonstrators to act peacefully, while also accepting the need for immigration reforms.
"Some foreign nationals who live in South Africa are here lawfully," he reminded citizens in his weekly newsletter, external.
"They work, study, raise families, invest in our economy and contribute positively to our society. They too are entitled to the protection of our laws and our Constitution.
"The right to protest and freedom of expression does not allow people to threaten or intimidate others, or to engage in acts of vandalism or violence," he wrote.
There are more than three million documented foreign nationals in South Africa, according to official figures.
The statistics do not record the many more migrants believed to be in the country without papers - a bone of contention for the protesters.
Police said that about 50,000 migrants had been arrested since January for being in the country illegally.
A Soweto resident told the BBC that protesters merely wanted foreigners "to comply" with the laws of South Africa.
She said that with the heavy police presence, she did not believe the march in Johannesburg would turn violent.
Another protester, who is part of anti-migrant group Operation Dudula, said they would "push the police to do their" job if undocumented migrants did not leave South Africa.
Many African migrants moved to South Africa around the time white-minority rule ended in 1994, hoping for a better life.
But with South Africa facing an unemployment rate of more than 30%, anti-migrant sentiments have risen.
Nigeria flew out 269 of its citizens on the eve of the protests, bringing to around 600 the number evacuated so far to the West African nation. More evacuations are expected to take place in the coming days.
Ghana, Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe have also been repatriating their citizens by plane or bus.
Ahead of the deadline, thousands of migrants have been awaiting processing in temporary camps for several weeks out of fear for their safety.
In Durban, which has seen some of the biggest protests, white tents housing mostly Malawians are being dismantled as authorities race to clear the transit camp.
About 7,000 Malawians have already been repatriated, Malawian media report.
Women in colourful sarongs sat on top of their belongings, waiting in line to board a bus home to Malawi.
One man, Nelson Mbewe, said he had gone to South Africa in search of employment to support his family in Malawi.
"But we've faced challenges - they're saying we should go back home because we do not have the right documents," he told the BBC.
"They say we are 'makwerekwere'" - a xenophobic slur used to refer to African migrants from other countries - Mbewe said.
"It's their country, so what can we do? That's why we have accepted that we just have to [unwillingly] go back home."
Hassan Phiri, a Malawian who is still waiting to be processed, had a message for the protesters: "All I want to say to South Africans is that we are all one. No matter what is happening, no matter what will happen, Africa must remain Africa.
"Africa can't be Africa without South Africa... without Malawi, without anywhere," he told the BBC, adding: "So whatever will happen, we must love each other and stick together as Africa."
Anti-migrant marches have been authorised in Durban, Johannesburg and other cities.
The authorities have warned organisers to ensure there is no violence but say they are prepared for any potential disruption.
Police say traditional weapons are not allowed. This could lead to tension between protesters and the police because many of the protesters are ethnic Zulus, and take their shields, whips and sticks when they go on marches.
However, police have so far allowed them to carry the weapons, seizing only a machete at a march in Durban.
Xenophobia has long been an issue in South Africa, and has sometimes led to violence.
According to the African Centre for Migration and Society's (ACMS) xenophobic violence tracker Xenowatch, two people have been killed this year.
In 2008, more than 60 people died during a wave of rioting against non-South Africans.
Read the full story at Al Jazeera ↗ · Al Jazeera ↗ · BBC ↗ · The Guardian ↗
Thousands of South Africans participated in authorised anti-migrant marches across major cities on a date designated as a deadline for undocumented migrants to leave. Law enforcement and private security were visibly present nationwide due to concerns about potential disorder. Most demonstrations proceeded without major incident, though police reported scattered incidents of looting and property damage—five arrests in Johannesburg's Soweto township, ten in KwaZulu-Natal province, and additional arrests for assault and intimidation. In Johannesburg's Yeoville suburb, home to many African migrants, windows were broken. City centres in Johannesburg and Durban saw businesses close and increased police visibility. President Ramaphosa met with protest organisers beforehand and issued statements emphasising that lawful foreign nationals are entitled to constitutional protection while warning that protest rights do not permit violence or intimidation. Police data indicates approximately 50,000 migrants have been detained since January for illegal residence. Several African nations have initiated repatriation flights and bus transport, with Malawi reporting 7,000 citizens already returned. Thousands of migrants awaited processing in temporary camps before departure. South Africa hosts over three million documented foreign nationals; undocumented populations remain unquantified. The country's unemployment exceeds 30%.
Read the full story at Al Jazeera ↗ · Al Jazeera ↗ · BBC ↗ · The Guardian ↗
Thousands of people are marching in South Africa's main cities to demand that all undocumented migrants leave the country.
Police officers - backed by private security guards - have been deployed because of fears that protests could turn violent. Anti-migrant groups had set Tuesday as the deadline for undocumented migrants to leave.
Many foreigners have already fled to escape violence and intimidation. South African police say 25,000 have been repatriated so far. Most are from other African countries.
One undocumented Malawian told the BBC he was "happy to be going back" but "heartbroken" to be leaving behind four young children.
The Ministry of Police said the protests were largely peaceful across the country, with isolated incidents of looting and attempted looting.
Johannesburg, where one of the protests is taking place, is unusually quiet. Shops in the city centre are closed, while police visibility is high on major streets.
Some protesters threw bricks, breaking the windows of some homes in Yeoville, a suburb in Johannesburg where many African migrants live.
Police said they had arrested five people for the alleged looting of a foreign-owned shop in Johannesburg's biggest township, Soweto.
About 10 people were also arrested for looting in KwaZulu-Natal province, while a woman was arrested for assaulting a police officer and a man for "intimidation" following reports of a foreign national being beaten up, police said.
Many businesses in central Durban, the main city in the province, are also shut. A police helicopter has been circling the city.
President Cyril Ramaphosa met some of the protest leaders on the eve of the marches in a bid to defuse tensions.
He has repeatedly warned demonstrators to act peacefully, while also accepting the need for immigration reforms.
"Some foreign nationals who live in South Africa are here lawfully," he reminded citizens in his weekly newsletter, external.
"They work, study, raise families, invest in our economy and contribute positively to our society. They too are entitled to the protection of our laws and our Constitution.
"The right to protest and freedom of expression does not allow people to threaten or intimidate others, or to engage in acts of vandalism or violence," he wrote.
There are more than three million documented foreign nationals in South Africa, according to official figures.
The statistics do not record the many more migrants believed to be in the country without papers - a bone of contention for the protesters.
Police said that about 50,000 migrants had been arrested since January for being in the country illegally.
A Soweto resident told the BBC that protesters merely wanted foreigners "to comply" with the laws of South Africa.
She said that with the heavy police presence, she did not believe the march in Johannesburg would turn violent.
Another protester, who is part of anti-migrant group Operation Dudula, said they would "push the police to do their" job if undocumented migrants did not leave South Africa.
Many African migrants moved to South Africa around the time white-minority rule ended in 1994, hoping for a better life.
But with South Africa facing an unemployment rate of more than 30%, anti-migrant sentiments have risen.
Nigeria flew out 269 of its citizens on the eve of the protests, bringing to around 600 the number evacuated so far to the West African nation. More evacuations are expected to take place in the coming days.
Ghana, Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe have also been repatriating their citizens by plane or bus.
Ahead of the deadline, thousands of migrants have been awaiting processing in temporary camps for several weeks out of fear for their safety.
In Durban, which has seen some of the biggest protests, white tents housing mostly Malawians are being dismantled as authorities race to clear the transit camp.
About 7,000 Malawians have already been repatriated, Malawian media report.
Women in colourful sarongs sat on top of their belongings, waiting in line to board a bus home to Malawi.
One man, Nelson Mbewe, said he had gone to South Africa in search of employment to support his family in Malawi.
"But we've faced challenges - they're saying we should go back home because we do not have the right documents," he told the BBC.
"They say we are 'makwerekwere'" - a xenophobic slur used to refer to African migrants from other countries - Mbewe said.
"It's their country, so what can we do? That's why we have accepted that we just have to [unwillingly] go back home."
Hassan Phiri, a Malawian who is still waiting to be processed, had a message for the protesters: "All I want to say to South Africans is that we are all one. No matter what is happening, no matter what will happen, Africa must remain Africa.
"Africa can't be Africa without South Africa... without Malawi, without anywhere," he told the BBC, adding: "So whatever will happen, we must love each other and stick together as Africa."
Anti-migrant marches have been authorised in Durban, Johannesburg and other cities.
The authorities have warned organisers to ensure there is no violence but say they are prepared for any potential disruption.
Police say traditional weapons are not allowed. This could lead to tension between protesters and the police because many of the protesters are ethnic Zulus, and take their shields, whips and sticks when they go on marches.
However, police have so far allowed them to carry the weapons, seizing only a machete at a march in Durban.
Xenophobia has long been an issue in South Africa, and has sometimes led to violence.
According to the African Centre for Migration and Society's (ACMS) xenophobic violence tracker Xenowatch, two people have been killed this year.
In 2008, more than 60 people died during a wave of rioting against non-South Africans.
Read the full story at Al Jazeera ↗ · Al Jazeera ↗ · BBC ↗ · The Guardian ↗
Thousands of people marched in South African cities demanding undocumented migrants leave the country. Police and private security were deployed due to concerns protests could turn violent. Most protests were largely peaceful, with isolated incidents of looting and property damage reported. Police arrested five people in Soweto for looting, ten in KwaZulu-Natal, and additional people for assault and intimidation. Windows were broken in Yeoville, a suburb where many African migrants live. Approximately 50,000 migrants have been arrested since January for illegal residency. Nigeria evacuated 269 citizens on the eve of protests; Ghana, Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe also repatriated nationals. Malawi reported 7,000 of its citizens already repatriated. President Ramaphosa met protest leaders to defuse tensions and warned against violence. Ramaphosa stated that lawful foreign nationals are entitled to constitutional protection and contribute positively to the economy. South Africa's unemployment rate exceeds 30%. Anti-migrant sentiment has risen alongside economic hardship. The country hosts over three million documented foreign nationals. Xenophobic violence has killed two people this year according to tracking data. Xenophobia in South Africa has sometimes led to violence, as evidenced by 2008 rioting that killed more than 60 people.
Read the full story at Al Jazeera ↗ · Al Jazeera ↗ · BBC ↗ · The Guardian ↗
- Thousands of anti-migrant protesters marched across South African cities on a Tuesday deadline for undocumented migrants to leave, with heavy police and private security deployment due to violence concerns.
- Police reported largely peaceful protests with isolated looting incidents and arrests in Johannesburg, Soweto, KwaZulu-Natal, and Durban; some property damage occurred in migrant-majority areas.
- Around 50,000 migrants have been arrested since January for illegal residency; several African nations including Nigeria, Ghana, Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe have begun repatriating citizens, with 7,000+ Malawians already departed.
- President Ramaphosa met protest leaders and reminded citizens that lawful foreign nationals contribute to the economy and deserve constitutional protection, while warning against violence and intimidation.
- South Africa's 30%+ unemployment rate has fueled rising anti-migrant sentiment; xenophobic violence has killed two people this year according to tracking data.