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Thousands of protesters took to the streets across South Africa on Tuesday, calling for undocumented foreign nationals to leave the country amid growing tensions over immigration, unemployment, and crime. The demonstrations were held in several major cities and followed weeks of anti-immigration campaigns led by citizen groups that had set an unofficial June 30 deadline for undocumented migrants to depart.
Heavy security was deployed nationwide as authorities sought to prevent violence and maintain order. While many of the marches remained peaceful, some areas experienced isolated incidents of unrest, including clashes, looting, and attacks on businesses associated with foreign nationals. South African authorities have reportedly opened numerous criminal investigations into acts of intimidation and vigilantism linked to the anti-migrant campaign.
The protests have triggered significant concern among migrant communities. Reports indicate that thousands of foreign nationals from countries including Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Malawi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo have either fled South Africa or sought assistance from their embassies due to fears of xenophobic violence. Several deaths have been linked to the unrest in recent weeks, further heightening anxiety among affected communities.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has appealed for calm, condemning violence while acknowledging public concerns about border management and illegal immigration. Human rights groups and international observers have warned that migrants, including those with legal status, risk becoming targets amid the growing anti-immigration sentiment. The developments have renewed debate over immigration policy, economic challenges, and xenophobia in South Africa as the country prepares for upcoming local elections.
