Members of the Zulu regiment known as the ‘Amabutho’ chant slogans as they march during a demonstration by the "March and March" movement marking an unofficial deadline set by citizen-led groups for undocumented foreign nationals to leave South Africa, in Durban, on June 30, 2026. Thousands of demonstrators massed across South African cities on June 30, 2026, venting anger at undocumented foreign nationals as police mounted a major operation to head off looting and xenophobic violence that has claimed four lives. The nationwide protests cap weeks of demonstrations called by a loose coalition of minor political parties and small citizen-led vigilante groups, which set an unofficial June 30 deadline for foreigners without residency papers to leave. (Photo by RAJESH JANTILAL / AFP)
Thousands of protesters marched across major South African cities on Tuesday, demanding the deportation of undocumented foreign nationals after weeks of anti-immigration demonstrations.
Heavy police presence was deployed as marches took place in cities including Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town, with isolated incidents of stone-throwing, looting and confrontations reported.
The campaign followed an unofficial June 30 deadline issued by vigilante groups for undocumented migrants to leave the country, while authorities confirmed that more than 25,000 people had already been processed for departure.
Speaking during the protest in Durban, Brightness Gumbi said, “The illegal foreigners manage to pay it because they sell drugs to our people. I hope through these demonstrations our president will hear our cries and enforce stricter laws.”
The nationwide protests cap weeks of demonstrations called by a loose coalition of minor political parties and small citizen-led vigilante groups, which set an unofficial June 30 deadline for foreigners without residency papers to leave. (Photo by EMMANUEL CROSET / AFP)
Another protest leader, Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, declared, “South Africans have been replaced by illegal foreigners, increasing unemployment,” adding, “We want mass deportation. For the next six months we want the government to get rid of the people who have not left.”
Police said at least four foreign nationals, including two Mozambicans, an Ethiopian and a Malawian, have been killed during the latest wave of anti-immigrant violence.
Several African countries, including Nigeria, Malawi, Ghana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique, have organised voluntary evacuation flights and buses to bring their citizens home.
Many migrants gathered at evacuation centres, saying they had lost their jobs or homes as fear spread, with a 23-year-old Zimbabwean woman telling AFP, “The people in South Africa, they don’t want us here. I’m scared.”
Another migrant, 32-year-old Adam John, said, “I thought I could stay on but neighbours warned us last night. I felt that it is better to try and get home while I still can.”
President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged calm while promising tougher action against illegal immigration, as analysts warn that the issue is becoming increasingly politicised ahead of November’s local government elections.
