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- October 12, 202619°
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- October 12, 202619°
Anti-immigrant protests escalate in South Africa; thousands of police deployed
At least four people were killed and numerous businesses looted during major protests against undocumented immigrants in South Africa. Thousands of police have been deployed across the country, and the army has been put on alert.
Large-scale protests against undocumented immigrants in South Africa turned into violent clashes on Tuesday. According to Reuters news agency, at least four people were killed and many others were injured in the protests.
The protests erupted ahead of a June 30 deadline set by some groups for all undocumented immigrants to leave the country. Thousands of police officers have been deployed nationwide, while the army is on standby.
The protesters, mostly poor or unemployed South Africans, claim that foreign immigrants are taking their jobs for lower wages and increasing crime rates.
Violence and looting
In Johannesburg's Soweto district, protesters looted shacks belonging to immigrants. In the Thembisa suburb, demonstrators threw stones at police and individuals believed to be immigrants; witnesses reported hearing sporadic gunfire.
In Benoni, east of Johannesburg, police confronted a group of around 500 people, deploying tactical vehicles and firing warning shots. The national broadcaster SABC announced that many looters were taken into custody and that police used rubber bullets to disperse the crowd.
In Durban and Johannesburg, some landlords are alleged to have illegally evicted foreign tenants to avoid trouble, while 100 Congolese immigrants were reported to be sleeping on the streets of Durban.
Statement by the 'March and March' group
Jacinta Ngobese, leader of 'March and March,' one of the groups organizing the protests, said they cannot be held responsible for the spontaneous incidents that occurred during the demonstrations. Ngobese stated that they are demanding the government take action to deport immigrants and that they will hold weekly marches until their demands are met.
The South African government, however, has rejected the deadline set by the civil groups, stating that only authorized authorities can enforce immigration laws.
Background
Despite high unemployment, South Africa remains Africa's largest economy and continues to attract immigrants. According to StatsSA data, the country's immigrant population is approximately 3 million, or about 4% of the total population. Tuesday's clashes were recorded as the largest protests since the anti-immigrant violence in 2008.
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