South Africa remained under heightened security on Tuesday as anti-immigration demonstrations took place across several major cities, including Johannesburg, Durban, Pretoria and Cape Town. Although authorities had prepared for the possibility of widespread unrest, the protests were generally smaller than anticipated, with police maintaining a visible presence and no reports of nationwide violence by late afternoon.
The demonstrations followed weeks of growing tensions after activist groups called for 30 June to mark a nationwide campaign against illegal immigration. Government officials, however, repeatedly stressed that no legal deadline existed for foreign nationals to leave the country and warned that any acts of intimidation or violence would be prosecuted.
Thousands of police officers were deployed to key locations across the country, supported by specialised public order units and tactical response teams. Security was especially tight in areas with large migrant communities, where concerns had been raised over possible xenophobic attacks similar to those experienced during previous periods of unrest.
Authorities said businesses, schools and government services continued operating normally despite the increased security measures.
Johannesburg Sees Heavy Security Presence but Limited Demonstrations
Johannesburg was widely regarded as the city most vulnerable to unrest ahead of Tuesday’s demonstrations. Police established a strong presence throughout the central business district, Hillbrow, Yeoville, Jeppe and Rosettenville, areas known for their large immigrant populations.
Although demonstrators affiliated with groups such as March and March gathered in parts of the city, turnout was considerably lower than many observers had predicted in the days leading up to the protests.
Several foreign-owned shops and informal businesses remained closed as a precaution, while police vehicles and armoured units patrolled key intersections throughout the day. Public transport continued operating, although some commuters reported delays due to increased security checkpoints.
Law enforcement officers monitored the marches closely, and by late afternoon no significant clashes had been reported in Johannesburg.
Durban also remained under close observation after being identified as another potential hotspot. Many migrant-owned businesses chose not to open for the day, reflecting ongoing concerns about possible attacks or looting. Despite heightened tensions, police confirmed that demonstrations in the city remained largely peaceful.
In Pretoria, protesters gathered to submit petitions calling for stricter border controls and stronger action against undocumented migration. The marches were conducted under police supervision, and officials reported no major incidents.
Meanwhile, Cape Town experienced only limited protest activity. Western Cape police maintained increased patrols around transport hubs, business districts and communities with significant migrant populations as a precautionary measure.
Communities Call for Calm as Government Rejects Vigilante Action
While the demonstrations focused primarily on concerns over illegal immigration, community organisations, religious leaders and civil society groups used the occasion to urge restraint and reject violence against foreign nationals.
Several neighbourhood initiatives publicly pledged to protect migrant-owned businesses and discourage any attempts at vigilantism. Their efforts reflected growing concern that misinformation circulating on social media could inflame tensions despite the relatively peaceful protests.
The South African government reiterated throughout the day that immigration enforcement remains the responsibility of state authorities alone. Officials dismissed online claims suggesting that 30 June represented an official deadline for foreign nationals to leave the country, describing such messages as false and potentially dangerous.
President Cyril Ramaphosa also appealed for calm, emphasising that while government recognises public concerns surrounding undocumented migration, no individual or organisation has the legal authority to intimidate, assault or forcibly remove foreign nationals from South Africa.
The protests come against the backdrop of persistent economic challenges, including high unemployment, slow economic growth and ongoing pressure on public services. These issues have fuelled public debate over immigration policy, although researchers continue to caution against attributing broader socio-economic problems solely to migrant communities.
South Africa has experienced several waves of xenophobic violence over the past two decades, most notably in 2008 and again in 2021, when attacks on foreign nationals resulted in deaths, displacement and significant damage to businesses. Those events prompted authorities to prepare extensively ahead of Tuesday’s demonstrations in an effort to prevent a repeat of previous unrest.
As night approached, police maintained a high level of readiness, noting that isolated incidents have historically occurred after organised marches conclude rather than during the demonstrations themselves. Security operations were expected to continue throughout the evening while authorities monitored developments across the country.
Although Tuesday’s protests attracted considerable public attention, the overall turnout remained lower than anticipated, and the extensive police deployment appeared to play a significant role in maintaining public order.
Source: Daily Maverick (Live Coverage), The Guardian, AP News.