Thousands of anti-migration protesters took to the streets of Johannesburg on Tuesday, with similar demonstrations taking place in Durban, Cape Town, Limpopo and the Eastern Cape, as South Africans called for tougher action against undocumented migrants.
The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has been deployed to Hillbrow as authorities intensify security measures amid escalating tensions linked to the anti-migrant protests. Soldiers have been deployed to support the South African Police Service (SAPS) and other law enforcement agencies in maintaining law and order, with the aim of ensuring that the demonstrations remain peaceful and preventing any violence, looting, or attacks on individuals and businesses.
The Johannesburg march, led by Ngizwe Mchunu, drew large crowds that moved through the city’s inner suburbs, including Yeoville, Berea and Hillbrow, areas known for their sizeable migrant communities. However, as the march progressed, it appeared organisers struggled to maintain control, with some frustrated protesters breaking away from the main procession and running through parts of the Johannesburg CBD.
Businesses across the city centre remained shut for the day, with shop owners choosing not to take any chances amid fears of unrest. A heavy security presence was deployed throughout the march, including SAPS officers, JMPD personnel, private security companies, Nyala armoured vehicles, police helicopters and drones monitoring the crowds from above.
While much of the march remained peaceful, there were several incidents of tension. At one point, protesters and people inside nearby buildings exchanged stones after marchers demanded that foreign nationals leave the area. In another incident, a man from KwaZulu-Natal was assaulted and left bleeding from the head after protesters allegedly mistook him for a foreign national. Similar pockets of intimidation were reported, with some marchers confronting residents inside apartment buildings.
Despite the tensions, many young South Africans said they joined the march because they believe the country needs stronger immigration controls.
“I am here for the future of my country. I am here to make a change. If we don’t fight for our country today, we will not win,” a young woman, who declined to be named, told an ONM reporter.
A young man from Soweto said he wanted to support the movement while rejecting hatred towards foreigners.
“As a young black Muslim, it’s important for me to support the movement. Illegal immigration is not a good thing, but we also cannot support tribalism, Islamophobia or xenophobia. Those things are not right. I am here to represent the Muslim community and to send a clear message that we can be African and we can be Muslim,” he said.
The Johannesburg demonstration formed part of a broader wave of anti-migration protests across South Africa, with thousands gathering in several provinces to call for stricter enforcement of immigration laws and action against undocumented migrants.
Meanwhile, the recently launched, Siyafana Sonke activists are monitoring the situation on the ground throughout Tuesday. The organisation was launched earlier in June with a mission to challenge Xenophobia, Afrophobia and organised hate. Below is a summary of their report of events as at 3pm Tuesday.
Overall: In the past couple of hours marches have taken a volatile and violent turn in certain areas. This is most prominent in Johannesburg. Siyafana Sonke monitors are concerned that protesters in Johannesburg are spreading out to stretch police resources. There is also concern that police in some areas are standing by while homeless people’s belongings are being set alight as marchers pass, windows are being broken of buildings and foreign nationals intimidated.
Gauteng:
Hillbrow: Shots were fired earlier. Police and ambulances are on site. Journalist report being attacked. A large fire was started and extinguished quickly. Belongings of homeless people were burned by protestors. A car was set alight in Claim St.
Kliptown: Army dispatched in response to increasing violence and they dispersed the crowd earlier. Reports of widespread looting.
Berea: Reports of stone throwing at people taking videos. Attempts were made to loot a bottle store.
Yeoville: Windows of buildings have been broken. Shops in Raymond Road are being targeted.
Alexandra: Concerns that police did not respond to the community and were absent. Reports of an injury outside the Alex Mall.
Germiston: People affecting citizens’ arrest of undocumented immigrants in front of the police and handing them over to the police. Reports that pregnant women and children are being dragged out of their homes.
Cosmo City: Reports of shops being looted
Thembisa: Marchers have gathered outside a large shop. Private security are on the scene. Concerns that police are not present.
KZN
Durban: In Briardene, an attempt was made to break into a foreign-owned tuckshop and fires were lit. People were harassing foreign nationals demanding documentation.
In Sydenham, a woman was arrested for assaulting police officers after they intrevened to prevent an attack on a foreign national.
Pietermaritzburg: In Madiba Informal Settlement four people arrested for looting foreign owned tuckshops.
East St Hostel: Protestors demanding that undocumented foreign nationals be removed from neighbouring buildings.
Free State
Manguang: March taking place around the CBD. Reports of foreign nationals being intimidated and harassed.
Western Cape
Cape Town: A number of foreign nationals have been arrested by police, in Claremont, the Cape Town CBD, Mitchells Plain and Delft.