Anti-Immigrant Protests Spread in South Africa: 900 Arrested

Thousands of protesters marched across South Africa's cities on Tuesday, demanding that undocumented migrants leave the country.

Anti-migrant groups had set a date as an unofficial deadline.

Officers arrested more than 900 people across the country yesterday.

Of roughly 120 marches held nationwide, many remained largely peaceful while some required police intervention.

South African police said 25,000 undocumented migrants have been repatriated so far, mostly to other African countries.

Army on Standby as Isolated Clashes Erupt

Police Minister Firoz Cachalia confirmed the army was deployed "on a contingency basis" in parts of Johannesburg and Durban.

In Hillbrow, three people were arrested after opening fire on protesters, whose vehicle was then set alight by marchers.

Arrests happened on protest day for public violence, looting, immigration violations, harbouring undocumented migrants, and robbery.

Ramaphosa Calls Concerns "Real and Legitimate"

President Cyril Ramaphosa met protest leaders before the marches and acknowledged that public concerns about illegal immigration are "real and legitimate".

The president also condemned vigilantism, intimidation and vandalism.

Official figures count more than three million documented foreign nationals in South Africa, making up 5.1% of the country’s population.

Regional Governments Mobilize Evacuations

Nigeria flew out 269 citizens on the eve of the protests, bringing its total evacuated to around 600, with Ghana, Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe also repatriating nationals by plane or bus.

Uganda separately announced an evacuation plan for nearly 750 citizens.