Key facts
- Businesses and public transport were shut down in South African cities due to planned anti-immigrant protests.
- Many foreign nationals avoided work and fled ahead of a deadline for undocumented migrants to leave.
- Landlords evicted foreign tenants in Johannesburg and Durban out of fear.
- Police and military were deployed to cities to manage the protests.
- President Cyril Ramaphosa stated that concerns about illegal immigration are valid but condemned violence and intimidation.
Businesses across South Africa shuttered and workers stayed home on Tuesday amid fears that planned anti-immigrant marches would escalate into violence. Many foreign nationals from other African countries avoided coming to work, and thousands had already fled ahead of a deadline set by demonstrators for all undocumented migrants to leave. This deadline was widely interpreted as a physical threat, given that past xenophobic protests in South Africa have led to violence against immigrants and their property. Landlords in Johannesburg and Durban were reportedly evicting foreign tenants due to fears of vandalism. Police and military forces were deployed to the streets in several cities to attempt to maintain order during the marches, which were expected to draw large crowds of unemployed South Africans. Deputy National Commissioner for Policing Tebello Mosikili stated that the state has a duty to ensure peaceful demonstrations. President Cyril Ramaphosa acknowledged the "deep concerns" about illegal immigration but emphasized that the right to protest does not permit threats, intimidation, vandalism, or violence. The recent anti-immigrant sentiment and perceived failure of police to protect victims have reportedly strained South Africa's relations with other African nations.