South African police arrested more than 900 people during nationwide anti-migrant protests on Tuesday, as demonstrations calling for undocumented migrants to leave the country unfolded across all nine provinces.
Authorities said the majority of the 120 marches held nationwide were peaceful, although isolated incidents of violence, looting and criminal activity prompted security interventions.
Deputy National Police Commissioner Tebello Mosikili told a media briefing that 108 of the demonstrations proceeded without incident, while law enforcement officers were required to intervene in 12 protests where unrest erupted.
Those arrested included undocumented migrants accused of violating immigration laws, as well as individuals facing charges ranging from public violence and robbery to allegedly harbouring undocumented migrants.
In response to overnight unrest, police deployed additional personnel to five provinces where isolated incidents of looting and criminality were reported. Soldiers were also deployed to Johannesburg’s Hillbrow district to reinforce police operations and maintain public order.
The demonstrations were organised by anti-immigration groups to coincide with what they described as a “deadline” for undocumented migrants to leave South Africa.
The protests followed months of escalating anti-migrant tensions that have drawn international attention. During the unrest, foreign nationals have reportedly been forced from their homes, while businesses and properties owned by migrants have been vandalised or looted.
South African authorities have repeatedly stated that while immigration laws will be enforced, acts of xenophobic violence and vigilantism will not be tolerated.
Police said security operations remain ongoing in affected areas as authorities continue to monitor the situation and investigate criminal incidents linked to the protests.
