VIDEO: Thousands of South Africans Hit the Streets to Enforce June 30 Deadline for Illegal Immigrants

• Thousands of protesters marched across South Africa on Tuesday demanding the removal of undocumented foreigners, while police maintained a heavy presence amid fears of violence.

Thousands of anti-immigration protesters took to the streets across South Africa on Tuesday, demanding the removal of undocumented foreigners as nationwide demonstrations unfolded under heavy police presence.

The protests followed an unofficial June 30 deadline issued by anti-migration campaigners, urging undocumented immigrants to leave the country. Videos circulating online showed large crowds marching through Johannesburg and other cities, calling for stricter immigration enforcement.

According to the BBC, the demonstrations were “largely peaceful across the country, with isolated incidents of looting and attempted looting.” Police were deployed across several provinces to prevent the protests from escalating into widespread violence.

Ahead of the demonstrations, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa appealed for calm, urging protesters to avoid “intimidation, threats or ultimatums” while acknowledging the need for immigration reforms.

In Johannesburg, many businesses remained closed as security personnel monitored key locations. Reports indicated that some protesters threw bricks at residential buildings in Yeoville, an area known for its large African migrant population.

Police also arrested five people in Soweto over the alleged looting of a foreign-owned shop, while another five suspects were arrested in Hammarsdale, KwaZulu-Natal, for allegedly breaking into a tuck shop.

The BBC further reported that “many have already fled to escape violence and intimidation,” adding that South African authorities have repatriated about 25,000 undocumented migrants, most of them from other African countries.

The demonstrations have also sparked concern among Nigerians living in South Africa. On Monday, dozens gathered at the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria seeking refuge over fears of possible xenophobic attacks, while others awaited evacuation flights back to Nigeria.

As part of its ongoing voluntary evacuation programme, the Federal Government received another batch of 271 Nigerians at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on Tuesday aboard an Air Peace flight from Johannesburg.

Authorities say the evacuation exercise will continue as officials closely monitor the security situation in South Africa and provide support for Nigerians choosing to return home.

Watch video below: