In response to widespread protests against illegal immigration, authorities in South Africa mobilized thousands of police officers on Tuesday. The demonstrations resulted in violent confrontations that rippled through several major cities.
The civil unrest, which involved numerous protestors, occurred just before a deadline set by certain organizers. These groups have called for the expulsion of all undocumented migrants by June 30, as reported by Reuters.
The protests attracted large crowds, predominantly made up of South Africans facing economic hardship. They argue that foreign migrants are accepting lower wages, securing jobs they need, and are contributing to the rising crime levels.
As chaos spread across the nation, at least four fatalities were reported amidst the ongoing violence and looting, according to Reuters.
Protesters opposing immigration marched through the streets of Johannesburg on June 30, 2026. This date marked an informal deadline by anti-immigrant factions for illegal migrants to exit the country. (REUTERS/Oupa Nkosi)
The clashes mark the largest migration-related protests since anti-migrant violence erupted in South Africa in 2008.
While thousands of foreign nationals from other African countries had already fled ahead of Tuesday’s so-called deadline, tensions have remained high, Reuters said.
Multiple businesses and properties were vandalized in several areas, according to reports.
In anticipation of further attacks, many shops reportedly closed, with foreign workers staying home.
Landlords in Durban and Johannesburg also evicted foreign tenants illegally to avoid further trouble, witnesses alleged.
Reuters added that 100 Congolese nationals were reported sleeping on the streets of Durban.
Protesters stand with wooden sticks near a fire burning in the street in Johannesburg, South Africa, on June 30, 2026. (Reuters)
While many marches were considered peaceful, police reported that they arrested several looters and fired rubber bullets to disperse crowds.
National broadcaster SABC added that protesters looted shacks belonging to foreign nationals in the Soweto township.
In Thembisa, a suburb of Johannesburg, rioters reportedly threw stones at police and suspected migrants, with witnesses saying sporadic gunfire was heard.
Police deployed tactical vehicles and fired shots in Benoni, east of Johannesburg, after being confronted by a group of roughly 500 protesters, Daily Maverick reported.
Thousands of police officers have been deployed nationwide, while the military was placed on standby, a defense spokesperson said in a statement.
“To those who intend to break the law tomorrow, our message is simple: do not test the resolve of the State,” Lt. Gen. Tebello Mosikili said.
Protesters start a fire in the streets of Johannesburg, South Africa, on June 30, 2026. (Reuters)
The “March and March” group, one of the more prominent organizations behind the unrest, addressed the violence, saying it cannot be held responsible for spontaneous incidents breaking out during the demonstrations.
“Unfortunately, we can’t be in every single community telling them … how to behave,” Jacinta Ngobese, leader of the March and March group, told Reuters two weeks ago.
Ngobese said the group plans to hold weekly marches until its demands are met, despite the government rejecting the deadline and saying only authorities can enforce immigration laws.
“For the next six months, we are asking for our national resources to be used to take the illegal immigrants out of this country. From building to building — they must go,” Ngobese said, according to ZimLive.
Despite South Africa’s high unemployment rate, the country remains Africa’s largest economy and continues to draw migrants.
The immigrant population stands at about 3 million, or roughly 4% of the total, according to StatsSA.