Thousands of police officers were deployed across South Africa following large-scale protests against illegal immigration that began on June 30, 2026. The protests involved thousands of participants, primarily South Africans, who expressed concerns that foreign migrants were taking jobs and contributing to higher crime rates. Reports indicate that at least four individuals were killed amid the unrest, which has led to violence and looting in various cities.
The protests are the largest migration-related demonstrations since similar events in 2008. In anticipation of further violence, many businesses closed, and foreign workers stayed home. Some landlords reportedly evicted foreign tenants to avoid potential conflict. Witnesses noted that approximately 100 Congolese nationals were found sleeping on the streets in Durban.
While many protests were peaceful, police reported arrests of looters and used rubber bullets to disperse crowds in some areas. Tactical vehicles were deployed in response to confrontations with protesters in locations such as Benoni, east of Johannesburg. The military has been placed on standby as tensions remain high.
Jacinta Ngobese, a leader of the March and March group, stated that the organization cannot be held responsible for spontaneous violence during the protests. The group plans to continue holding weekly marches until their demands regarding immigration enforcement are addressed. According to StatsSA, the immigrant population in South Africa is approximately 3 million, representing about 4% of the total population.