More than 900 people have been arrested across South Africa following nationwide anti-migrant protests that were largely peaceful but turned violent in some areas, according to police.
The demonstrations, organised by a coalition of over 20 civil society groups, including the March and March movement, were held to mark an unofficial deadline demanding undocumented migrants leave the country.
Deputy National Police Commissioner Tebello Mosikili said 120 marches took place nationwide, with 108 remaining peaceful while police intervened in 12 due to violence and public disorder. Arrests were made for offences including public violence, robbery and immigration violations. The Western Cape recorded the highest number of arrests with 215, followed by the Eastern Cape with 208.
President Cyril Ramaphosa met protest organisers ahead of the demonstrations, acknowledging public concerns over illegal immigration, border security and pressure on public services. However, he warned that taking the law into one's own hands amounts to vigilantism and has no place in South Africa's constitutional democracy.
Despite the warnings, violence broke out in some locations. In Johannesburg's Alexandra township, one person was shot dead during the looting of foreign-owned spaza shops. In Hillbrow, two people, including a 17-year-old, were injured in a separate shooting, prompting the deployment of soldiers.
Thousands also marched in Durban, where protesters called for stricter border controls. March and March leader Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma said demonstrations would continue every Thursday until the government acts.
Human rights organisations, including Amnesty International South Africa, criticised the targeting of migrants, arguing they are being unfairly blamed for the country's economic challenges, high unemployment and delays in the asylum system.
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