South Africa Protests Against Undocumented Immigrants

Protests erupted across South Africa as the deadline for undocumented immigrants to leave the country expired. Citizen-led groups mobilized demonstrations, particularly in Johannesburg and Durban, where tensions escalated into confrontations with police.

Protesters, including traditional warriors in Durban, expressed frustration over economic hardships attributed to foreign nationals. Gumbi, a business owner, highlighted the inability to afford rent due to competition from undocumented immigrants.

The protests coincided with a call from anti-immigrant leader Jacinta Ngobes Zuma for mass deportations within six months. The South African government, under President Cyril Ramaphosa, announced plans to combat illegal immigration amid rising xenophobia and violence, which has previously resulted in significant casualties.

Recent reports indicated that at least two foreign nationals were killed during the unrest. The government has organized voluntary repatriation flights for thousands of immigrants, with fears of repeating past violence that left many dead in 2008.