Thousands march in Johannesburg and Durban as anti-immigration campaign fuels fear, displacement, and sporadic violence

Thousands of South Africans flooded the streets on Tuesday, launching a nationwide protest campaign calling for the expulsion of undocumented migrants, in a movement that has intensified tensions and forced tens of thousands to flee.

The demonstrations, held across major cities including Johannesburg and Durban, mark the first coordinated day of action by organized citizen groups demanding that undocumented foreigners leave the country. Protest leaders had earlier issued a June 30 deadline for migrants to exit South Africa—despite lacking any legal authority to enforce such demands.

In Johannesburg, the country’s economic hub, and Durban, its busiest port city, large crowds marched through central districts, some carrying traditional Zulu sticks and shields. Placards bore messages such as “Stop hiding illegal aliens” and “Stop employing them and renting property to them,” reflecting widespread frustration among demonstrators.

Authorities, anticipating unrest, deployed a heavy police presence nationwide. While most protests remained controlled, incidents of violence were reported, including looting, isolated robberies, and stone-throwing during marches in Johannesburg. In Germiston, east of Johannesburg, tensions escalated when protesters attempted to forcefully remove foreign nationals from a residential area. Police intervened, evacuating and protecting frightened families.

The protests have already had a visible economic impact, with reduced traffic and many businesses shuttered in major urban centers amid fears of violence.

The anti-immigration campaign has been accompanied by a significant exodus of foreign nationals. In recent weeks, more than 25,000 people—primarily from countries including Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi, Nigeria, Ghana, and Ethiopia—have fled South Africa, some transported on buses arranged by their home governments.

The unrest has also turned deadly. At least four people—two Mozambicans, one Ethiopian, and one Malawian—have been killed in related incidents, alongside multiple cases of looting targeting foreign-owned shops.

Protesters argue that undocumented migrants are contributing to unemployment and rising living costs. “It’s difficult to afford rent because prices are too high, and undocumented foreigners can pay because they’re involved in illegal activities,” said Brightness Gumbi, a 48-year-old township trader who joined the Durban march.

South Africa has a history of xenophobic violence, notably in 2008 and 2015, but the scale of recent displacement marks a troubling escalation.

Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, a prominent figure in the movement and leader of the organizing group, vowed that protests would continue weekly. Speaking in Durban, she announced plans for demonstrations every Thursday, signaling a sustained campaign that could further heighten tensions across the country.