Migration · Durban, Johannesburg, and Cape Town
South Africa anti-immigrant protests turn to looting and arrests as thousands flee
Thousands marched across South Africa on June 30 after an ultimatum for undocumented foreigners to leave expired, leading to looting, 900 arrests, and an exodus of tens of thousands of migrants.
AI text based on reports by SIC Notícias, RFI, Le Monde.fr and other publishers. Published . How it is made
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In brief
Thousands marched in Johannesburg, Durban, and Cape Town as the June 30 deadline set by the March and March movement for undocumented foreigners to leave passed.
While most marches were peaceful, looting broke out in Clermont near Durban, and police reported 900 arrests, including for thefts from shops.
Xenophobic violence has left at least five dead, including a Malawian man found mutilated in June and five Mozambicans killed in Mossel Bay, where 50 shacks were burned.
An estimated 13,000 migrants departed South Africa in recent days, while organizers vowed weekly demonstrations every Thursday for six months.
- 1 AprAt least five migrants killed in xenophobic attacks since April
- 19 JunBody of Malawian Mishack Banda found near a river
- 30 JunUltimatum expires; nationwide protests, 900 arrests, looting in Durban
- 1 JulWeekly Thursday marches announced for six months; 13,000 migrants reported to have fled
Protests and confrontations
About 120 demonstrations were held nationwide, with large gatherings in Johannesburg, Durban, and Cape Town. A heavy police and military deployment prevented a repeat of the deadly 2021 riots, but in Clermont, on the outskirts of Durban, protesters looted shops selling food, electronics, and clothing. "They just started stealing," said Mohamed Abdul, a Somali shopkeeper who lost his livelihood. "I was scared and felt betrayed." Police reported 900 arrests, some for looting.
A climate of violence
The marches follow months of escalating xenophobia. Since April, at least five migrants have been killed in attacks, including Mishack Banda, a 29-year-old Malawian whose mutilated body was found near a river on June 19. In Mossel Bay, five Mozambicans were killed and 50 shacks burned. Organizers like Sanele Khambule argue they are targeting illegal immigrants because of "crimes committed by illegal immigrants and the strain on infrastructure and public health systems."
“We are marching not only because of illegal immigration, but also because of the crimes committed by illegal immigrants in our country and the strain on infrastructure and public health systems.”
Exodus of migrants
Fearful of further violence, tens of thousands of foreigners have fled. In recent days, an estimated 13,000 people left, including 9,000 Malawians, 3,000 Zimbabweans, 900 Ghanaians, and 300 Nigerians. Thousands more remain in reception centres awaiting repatriation. South Africa has deported over 25,000 individuals in recent months.
- Malawi
- 9000 people
- Zimbabwe
- 3000 people
- Ghana
- 900 people
- Nigeria
- 300 people
Data from the article text
What comes next
The government insists most marches were peaceful and that security forces contained the trouble. Yet the movement shows no sign of abating: organizers announced weekly marches every Thursday for the next six months.
“It’s time we take the issue of illegal immigrants seriously and ensure our country recovers.”
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Sources and context
- SIC NotíciasMilhares de pessoas em manifestação contra imigração ilegal na África do Sul
- RFISaqueos y arrestos tras las protestas antimigrantes de Sudáfrica
- Le Monde.fr'Foreigners out!': South Africa's xenophobic movements flex muscles in protests
- Courrier internationalMarches anti-immigrés : "L'Afrique du Sud respire (pour l'instant)
- Sanele Khambule
- National organizer of the March and March anti-migrant movement
- Ngizwe Mchunu
- Organizer of the anti-immigrant protests
- Mohamed Abdul
- Somali shopkeeper in Clermont, Durban, whose store was looted during the protests
- Nkosikhona Ndabandaba
- Leader of an anti-foreigner movement known as Phakel'umthakathi, with over 1.7 million Facebook followers
- Places
- Durban, Johannesburg, Clermont-Ferrand
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