South Africa Deploys Police After Nationwide Anti‑Immigrant Marches

Overview

• Authorities reported large coordinated marches on June 30 and said security forces monitored 120 demonstrations, 108 of which were peaceful while 12 required intervention and more than 900 people were detained.
• Multiple outlets report thousands of migrants fled cities before the deadline, with one estimate citing about 25,000 people displaced who sought shelter at consulates or improvised camps and some governments arranging repatriation.
• Violent episodes since March have included illegal evictions, attacks on homes and businesses, looting and at least four to five deaths, and police have opened more than 100 criminal cases linked to vigilante violence.
• March and March leaders say they will continue weekly actions demanding deportation of undocumented foreigners, while the group denies calling for violence even as members carry sticks and traditional shields at protests.
• Longstanding social pressures — high unemployment, deep inequality and political rhetoric blaming migrants for job loss and strained services — are driving the unrest and have strained South Africa's humanitarian capacity and regional ties.