RismadarVoice Reporters, July 2, 2026
More than 900 people have been arrested across South Africa following nationwide anti-migrant protests that were largely peaceful but turned violent in some areas, resulting in looting, injuries and one fatality.
The demonstrations, held on Tuesday, were organised by a coalition of more than 20 civil society organisations, including the March and March movement, to mark an unofficial deadline for undocumented migrants to leave the country.
Speaking at a news conference on Wednesday, Deputy National Police Commissioner Tebello Mosikili said police monitored 120 protest marches nationwide, with 108 proceeding peacefully while officers intervened in 12 others following outbreaks of violence.
According to Mosikili, those arrested face offences ranging from public violence and robbery to immigration-related violations.
The Western Cape recorded the highest number of arrests with 215 suspects, followed by the Eastern Cape, where 208 people were taken into custody.
Ahead of the protests, President Cyril Ramaphosa met with protest organisers in an effort to prevent unrest.
In a statement, the Presidency acknowledged public concerns over illegal immigration, border security and pressure on public services but warned against taking the law into one’s own hands.
“South Africans have raised deep concerns about illegal immigration, border management and pressure on public services. These concerns are real and deserve to be heard,” the statement said.
The President, however, condemned acts of vigilantism, stressing that unlawful actions have no place in the country’s constitutional democracy.
Despite the appeal for calm, isolated incidents of violence were recorded.
In Johannesburg’s Alexandra township, one person was shot dead during the looting of foreign-owned neighbourhood shops, popularly known as spaza shops.
Security was also reinforced in Johannesburg’s Hillbrow district after a separate shooting left two people injured, including a 17-year-old.
In the coastal city of Durban, thousands of demonstrators marched through the streets chanting “Abahambe!” a Zulu expression meaning “They must go.”
March and March leader Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma told supporters that the protests would continue every Thursday until the government strengthens border controls and addresses illegal immigration.
Meanwhile, human rights organisations, including Amnesty International South Africa, criticised the demonstrations targeting migrants, arguing that foreign nationals are being unfairly blamed for broader socioeconomic challenges such as high unemployment, poverty and delays in the country’s asylum system.
