**Over 900 Arrested During South Africa Anti-Immigrant Protests**
More than 900 individuals were arrested across South Africa during a series of anti-immigrant protests held on Tuesday, according to police reports. The demonstrations were organized to mark an unofficial deadline set by various groups demanding that undocumented foreign nationals leave the country.
Deputy National Police Commissioner Tebello Mosikili confirmed on Wednesday that a total of 120 marches took place throughout the country, with 108 concluding without incident. However, 12 marches required police intervention due to escalating tensions.
The arrests were made for a range of offenses, including immigration violations, public violence, harboring undocumented migrants, looting, and robbery. Mosikili noted that the majority of those detained were foreign nationals, and many arrests were linked to law enforcement operations conducted in conjunction with the protests.
Tragically, the protests were marred by violence, with one individual shot dead in Johannesburg’s Alexandra township amid looting incidents targeting small grocery shops owned by foreign nationals. Additionally, two others were injured in a shooting in Hillbrow, prompting the deployment of soldiers to assist police in maintaining order.
In a separate incident, authorities have launched an investigation into the death of a foreign national who reportedly jumped from the eighth floor of a building in Durban on the eve of the protests. Reports suggest that the individual feared being targeted amid the rising tensions.
The protests were spearheaded by groups such as March and March, Operation Dudula, and Progressive Forces, which have accused undocumented immigrants of taking jobs, operating informal businesses, straining public services, and contributing to rising crime rates. These groups had set June 30 as a deadline for undocumented migrants to leave South Africa.
In response to the protests and the demands of these groups, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa firmly rejected the deadline, emphasizing that immigration laws can only be enforced by the government.
Ahead of the demonstrations, Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi expressed concern over potential violence and intimidation directed at foreign nationals. She stated that advocates of racism, Afrophobia, and xenophobia have no place in South Africa, underscoring the government's commitment to protecting all residents.
The protests come in the wake of increased unrest in various parts of South Africa, where many foreign nationals have reported harassment, evictions, and violent attacks. The police presence during the protests was heightened to prevent a recurrence of the anti-immigrant violence witnessed in 2008, which resulted in the deaths of 62 individuals.
In light of the escalating situation, thousands of migrants have sought assistance from their embassies and consulates, with several African nations, including Ghana, Nigeria, Malawi, and Mozambique, facilitating the evacuation of their nationals. On Tuesday, Minister Kubayi announced that the South African government had recently repatriated 4,286 individuals and deported another 419.
The situation remains fluid as authorities continue to monitor the protests and address the underlying issues contributing to the unrest.