Thousands Protest Against Undocumented Migrants in South Africa as Police Deploy in Johannesburg and Durban

Thousands of anti-migrant protesters marched across South Africa on Tuesday demanding that all undocumented migrants leave the country, with police backed by private security deployed because of fears the demonstrations could turn violent.

“South Africa deploys police for widespread illegal immigration protests Thousands of demonstrators have gathered in parts of South Africa to rally against illegal immigration JOHANNESBURG -- Thousands of demonstrators gathered in parts of South Africa to rally against illegal immigration on Tuesday, which some protest groups set as a deadline for the departure of all illegal migrants from the country”

ABC News

The BBC reported that South African police said 25,000 have been repatriated so far, and that Police Minister Firoz Cachalia confirmed the army was deployed “on a contingency basis” in “parts of Johannesburg” as well as Durban.

ABC News

In Johannesburg’s Hillbrow, the BBC said police confirmed the arrest of three people after two people were injured when the trio “opened fire at protesters who were passing through the street,” and the marchers retaliated by “torching the suspects' vehicle.”

The BBC also said shops in the city centre were closed while police visibility was high on major streets, and that protesters handed over a memorandum listing their demands to government officials in Durban and Johannesburg.

DW reported that the Ministry of Police said anti-migrant demonstrations were “largely peaceful” so far, while the country braced for possible violence after weeks of xenophobic unrest targeting mostly African migrants.

In Durban, the BBC reported that the leader of anti-migrant group March and March, Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, said they would protest every Thursday for the next six months to force the government to “get rid of” undocumented migrants who were still in South Africa.

DW quoted Ngobese-Zuma telling a crowd in Durban, “We want mass deportation,” and said she added, “For the next six months we want the government to get rid of the people who have not left.”

Al Jazeera

DW described Johannesburg protesters marching through Hillbrow and Yeoville with posters carrying slogans including “SA withdraw from the UN refugee convention” and “80% of children born in Limpopo province are born to foreign nationals.”

The BBC said President Cyril Ramaphosa met some of the protest leaders on the eve of Tuesday’s marches to defuse tensions, and included his warning that “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.”

The BBC also reported that one undocumented Malawian told it he was “happy to be going back” but “heartbroken” to be leaving behind four young children.

As the deadline approached, the BBC said many foreigners had already fled to escape violence and intimidation, and that police said about 50,000 migrants had been arrested since January for being in the country illegally.

“Thousands join anti-immigrant marches in South Africa as migrant deadline expires Police report no major violence so far despite fears of xenophobic attacks Hassan Isilow 30 June 2026•Update: 30 June 2026 Archive JOHANNESBURG Thousands of people marched across South Africa on Tuesday, demanding the deportation of undocumented migrants and tougher immigration laws, as anti-immigrant groups staged coordinated demonstrations following a months-long campaign that has fueled fears of renewed xenophobic violence”

Anadolu Ajansı

DW said thousands of African migrants had already left or been repatriated from South Africa, and it reported that police arrested three suspects after two people were shot and injured during a protest in Hillbrow.

The BBC reported that 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, and said Ghana, Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe have also been repatriating their citizens by plane or bus.

In Durban, the BBC said white tents housing mostly Malawians were being dismantled as authorities raced to clear the transit camp, and it reported that about 7,000 Malawians had already been repatriated, according to Malawian media.

DW said the Ministry of Police warned that those who use the protests as a chance to commit “crimes will face the full might of the law,” as police remained “on high alert” to “ensure public safety, protect businesses and critical infrastructure and maintain law and order.”