**Title: More than 900 Arrested During South Africa’s Antimigrant Protests**
**Date: July 2, 2026**
South African police have reported over 900 arrests following a series of nationwide protests against undocumented migrants, which took place on July 2, 2026. The demonstrations, organized by a coalition of more than 20 civil society groups, including the March and March movement, were largely peaceful but escalated in some areas, leading to violence, looting, and one reported fatality.
The protests were prompted by an unofficial “deadline” set by the organizers for undocumented migrants to leave the country. According to Deputy National Police Commissioner Tebello Mosikili, of the 120 marches held across South Africa, 108 were peaceful. However, 12 incidents required police intervention due to escalating tensions.
The Western Cape province saw the highest number of arrests, with 215 individuals detained, followed closely by the Eastern Cape, which recorded 208 arrests. The reasons for these arrests varied, encompassing public violence, robbery, and immigration violations.
In a statement addressing the situation, President Cyril Ramaphosa convened an emergency meeting with key protest organizers prior to the protests. He acknowledged the legitimate concerns raised by South Africans regarding illegal immigration, border management, and the strain on public services. Ramaphosa emphasized the importance of addressing these grievances while condemning any unlawful actions, stating, "Whatever the motivation, taking the law into one’s own hands is vigilantism and has no place in our constitutional democracy."
Despite the president's calls for calm, localized violence erupted in various areas. In Johannesburg's Alexandra township, police confirmed that one person was shot dead during looting incidents targeting foreign-owned informal corner shops, commonly referred to as spaza shops. Additionally, soldiers were deployed to the Hillbrow neighborhood in Johannesburg following a shooting that left two individuals injured, including a 17-year-old.
In the coastal city of Durban, thousands of protesters participated, chanting “Abahambe!” which translates to “They must go!” March and March leader Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma addressed the crowd, indicating that protests would continue weekly until the government implements stricter border controls.
Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International South Africa, have condemned the protests, arguing that migrants are being unfairly scapegoated for broader socioeconomic issues, such as high unemployment rates and a backlog in the asylum system. These groups assert that targeting vulnerable populations does not address the root causes of the challenges facing South Africa.
The protests reflect a growing sentiment among some South Africans regarding immigration and its perceived impact on local communities. As the situation develops, the government faces the challenge of balancing public sentiment with the need to uphold human rights and maintain social cohesion.
As the nation grapples with these complex issues, the protests serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing tensions surrounding immigration policy and the socioeconomic challenges that continue to affect many South Africans.