Thousands of demonstrators marched across major South African cities on Tuesday in a nationwide protest against illegal immigration, prompting many Nigerians and other foreign nationals to flee their homes and businesses amid renewed fears of xenophobic violence.
The protests, organised by anti-immigration groups, including March and March and Operation Dudula, followed the expiration of an ultimatum issued to undocumented migrants to leave the country, heightening tensions in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban and several other cities.
Although the organisers maintained that the demonstrations were aimed solely at undocumented immigrants, the protests sparked widespread anxiety among foreign nationals, including many with valid residency permits. As a result, numerous businesses owned by migrants remained shut, while some families sought refuge in churches, diplomatic missions and temporary shelters.
To forestall a repeat of previous xenophobic attacks, South African authorities deployed heavily armed police officers and other security personnel to identified flashpoints across the country.
Despite the heightened security presence, isolated cases of looting, intimidation and attacks on businesses owned by foreign nationals were reported in some communities. Police also intervened to disperse violent groups in parts of Gauteng Province.
President Cyril Ramaphosa appealed for calm, urging demonstrators to exercise their constitutional right to peaceful protest while condemning all forms of violence, intimidation and attacks against foreign nationals.
The South African government reiterated that concerns over crime and illegal immigration should be addressed through lawful enforcement mechanisms rather than vigilantism.
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Nigerians were among the thousands of African migrants affected by the renewed anti-immigration campaign.
Reports indicated that many Nigerians had either left South Africa or registered with the Nigerian High Commission for voluntary repatriation after expressing concerns about their safety.
Other affected foreign nationals include migrants from Zimbabwe, Malawi, Mozambique, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and several other African countries, many of whom have reportedly abandoned their homes and businesses in anticipation of possible attacks.
The Nigerian government had earlier begun arrangements to facilitate the voluntary return of citizens wishing to leave South Africa following weeks of rising xenophobic tensions.
The latest demonstrations are largely driven by public frustration over rising unemployment, increasing living costs, crime and prolonged economic hardship.
Many protesters accused undocumented migrants of taking jobs, operating illegal businesses and placing additional pressure on public services.
However, economists and migration experts have challenged those claims, arguing that available evidence does not support assertions that migrants are responsible for South Africa’s economic challenges.
They instead identified structural unemployment, sluggish economic growth, corruption, inequality and governance issues as the primary causes of the country’s socio-economic difficulties.
The protests have revived memories of previous xenophobic attacks in 2008, 2015 and 2019, during which dozens of foreign nationals were killed, hundreds injured and businesses worth millions of dollars destroyed.
Human rights organisations have warned that the current demonstrations could deteriorate into another wave of violence if not effectively contained, expressing concern that even documented migrants are increasingly becoming targets of intimidation and harassment.
Several African governments and diplomatic missions are closely monitoring developments while advising their citizens residing in South Africa to remain vigilant, avoid protest areas and comply with security advisories.
Regional observers have also urged South African authorities to guarantee the safety of all residents, regardless of nationality, while addressing migration concerns through lawful and constitutional processes.
With security agencies remaining on high alert across the country, uncertainty persists over whether the protests will end peacefully or escalate into another round of xenophobic violence that could further strain diplomatic relations and regional integration efforts in Southern Africa.