Thousands of people took to the streets in South African cities and demand the departure of undocumented migrants. Tensions are rising and the first attacks on foreigners have already been documented.
Thousands of people protested in several South African cities on Tuesday, demanding the departure of all migrants without valid documents from the country. Local authorities said that despite strict security measures, violence against foreigners from other African countries had occurred. TASR informs about it according to the report of the DPA agency.
- Thousands of people protested against undocumented migrants in South African cities.
- During the protests in Johannesburg, the mob ransacked the homes and businesses of foreigners.
- In Kwa-Zulu Natal province, police arrested ten people for theft.
Police reported that protesters in the suburbs of Johannesburg ransacked several homes and businesses run by migrants. In Kwa-Zulu Natal province in the eastern part of the country, police arrested ten people and charged them with theft and burglary.
Mass protests
The civil movement March and March focused on illegal migration in the country organized protests on June 30 because it demanded the departure of all migrants without valid documents from that date.
South African authorities have said that over 25,000 foreigners have left or been deported from the country in recent weeks. However, fears of violence also led to the departure of people who arrived legally.
Plans for further gatherings
March and March leader Jacinta Ngobese-Zumova announced to her followers in the city of Durban, according to local media, that such rallies will be held every week in the coming months.
The movement calls for strict enforcement of immigration laws, mass deportations and stricter border controls. It claims that undocumented migrants are contributing to the rise in crime and unemployment in South Africa, although it has presented no evidence of this. The DPA agency points out that the movement is using increasingly radical rhetoric.
