Overview
- Police and standby defence units were deployed across South Africa on Tuesday to prevent violence and to stop civilians from enforcing immigration law.
- Government and border officials say tens of thousands of foreign nationals have been processed for departure in recent weeks, with the Border Management Authority estimating about 25,000 repatriations.
- Many migrants are sheltering outside consulates and in makeshift camps while transport and repatriation centres face severe strain and local authorities warn they cannot guarantee all people will be moved by midnight.
- Organisers of the citizen‑led mobilisations say the action targets immigration policy and have warned of 'rolling' marches, but legal experts and officials say civilians have no lawful right to detain people or demand documents.
- Longstanding pressures such as high unemployment, service backlogs and permit delays explain the anger driving the protests, and rights groups warn the current campaign risks human‑rights violations and diplomatic fallout for South Africa and neighbouring states.