Key facts
- South African police arrested over 900 people during anti-migrant protests on Tuesday.
- Thousands of protesters participated in demonstrations across multiple cities.
- The protests involved clashes, looting, and vandalism.
- At least four people were killed during the unrest.
- Businesses closed and foreign workers stayed home due to the protests.
South African police arrested more than 900 individuals on Tuesday amid widespread anti-migrant protests that saw thousands of participants, clashes, looting, and vandalism across several cities. At least four people were killed during the unrest.
Thousands of police officers were deployed nationwide, with the military placed on standby, as protests against illegal immigration intensified ahead of an unofficial deadline set by organizers for migrants to leave the country. Protesters cited concerns over job losses due to lower wages accepted by foreign migrants and an increase in crime rates.
Violent incidents included the looting of businesses and homes owned by foreign nationals, with police responding by firing rubber bullets to disperse crowds. In one instance in Johannesburg, three suspects were arrested after allegedly shooting and injuring two people, leading to a retaliatory act by protesters who set fire to the suspects' vehicle.
Many businesses closed and foreign workers stayed home, while some landlords reportedly evicted foreign tenants. Organizers, such as the 'March and March' group, stated they could not be held responsible for spontaneous acts of violence during the demonstrations, despite continuing their demands for the removal of undocumented immigrants.