South Africa braces for protests on anti-migrant deadline

Dmytro Hubenko | Louis Oelofse with AFP, AP, dpa, Reuters

Published 06/30/2026Published June 30, 2026

Anti-immigrant groups set June 30 as an unofficial "deadline" for undocumented migrants to leave, with protests taking place across South Africa.

Skip next section What you need to know

What you need to know

Ministry of Police says anti-migrant demonstrations largely peaceful so far

Some reported arrests made over looting or attempted looting

Nation on edge after weeks of sometimes violent xenophobic unrest targeting mostly African migrants

President Cyril Ramaphosa says 'security forces are ready' to respond to potential unrest

Thousands of African migrants have already left or been repatriated from South Africa

After anti-migrant groups said they want undocumented migrants to leave South Africa , the country is bracing for possible violence. Follow DW’s coverage here:

Skip next section IN PICTURES: Day of demonstrations against undocumented migrants in South Africa

06/30/2026June 30, 2026

IN PICTURES: Day of demonstrations against undocumented migrants in South Africa

Skip next section WATCH: South Africa sees nationwide protests over migrants

06/30/2026June 30, 2026

WATCH: South Africa sees nationwide protests over migrants

South Africa sees nationwide protests over migrants

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Skip next section Suspects arrested after 2 people shot during protest

06/30/2026June 30, 2026

Suspects arrested after 2 people shot during protest

According to Gauteng police, three suspects were arrested on Tuesday after two people, including a 17-year-old, were shot and injured during a protest in Hillbrow, a residential neighborhood in Johannesburg.

The trio allegedly opened fire on protesters passing through the street, injuring two people. The protesters then reportedly retaliated by setting fire to the suspects' vehicle.

The three suspects were arrested, and two licensed firearms believed to have been used in the incident were seized for further investigation.

The suspects are expected to appear before the Johannesburg Magistrates' Court soon on charges of attempted murder.

Anti-immigrant protests took place across South Africa on Tuesday, with several thousand people participating in a march in Johannesburg.

Skip next section Thousands join anti-migrant protests across South Africa

06/30/2026June 30, 2026

Thousands join anti-migrant protests across South Africa

Across South Africa, thousands of demonstrators converged in various locations to voice their opposition to illegal immigration. Marches took place in several cities, including Johannesburg, Durban, and Cape Town.

Despite the tight security measures in place, media reported isolated violent attacks against foreigners from other African countries on the fringes of the marches.

According to police reports, demonstrators stormed and looted several homes and businesses owned by migrants in the suburbs of Johannesburg. In the province of KwaZulu-Natal, police arrested ten people for looting and burglary.

Businesses close in Johannesburg

In Johannesburg, the country's financial center, most businesses closed during the protest march comprising several thousand people, with many workers staying home and public transport services being limited.

Young men carrying traditional fighting sticks and women of all ages were among the protesters marching through Johannesburg's city center. Some wore the South African flag and sang liberation songs.

Watched by police in bulletproof vests and riot helmets, they carried posters with slogans such as "SA withdraw from the UN refugee convention," "The future of our kids" and "80% of children born in Limpopo province are born to foreign nationals."

"Today is the last day," protester Nkele Thebe said at the start of the Johannesburg march. "After today, we’ll be dealing with our president and our nation. We don't want an outsider to come interfere."

Protesters demand mass deportation

In Durban — a southeastern city in the province of KwaZulu-Natal — protesters turned out in traditional warrior attire. Some carried spears, whips, and shields, while others were draped in leopard skins.

"South Africans have been replaced by illegal foreigners, increasing unemployment," Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, the leader of the anti-immigrant March and March group, told a crowd in Durban.

"We want mass deportation," she said. "For the next six months we want the government to get rid of the people who have not left."

As reported by the media, Ngobese-Zuma announced weekly demonstrations to her supporters in Durban for the coming months.

Meanwhile, only around a hundred people took part in the anti-migrant march in Cape Town, a popular tourist destination, where a counter-demonstration against xenophobia was also held.

Skip next section Protests in Johannesburg districts with high immigrant population

06/30/2026June 30, 2026

Protests in Johannesburg districts with high immigrant population

Johannesburg protesters have marched through Hillbrow and Yeoville, areas of the city known to house many immigrants

Some smaller groups were seen breaking off and throwing stones at windows.

The police and private security remained visible.

Skip next section South Africa's Police Ministry confirms arrests over looting

06/30/2026June 30, 2026

South Africa's Police Ministry confirms arrests over looting

South Africa's Ministry of Police has issued an interim report on the anti-immigrant protests, reporting "incidents of looting and attempted looting" in what it described as "largely peaceful" demonstrations.

The authorities said several people were arrested.

The ministry said police were on "high alert" and out in force to "ensure public safety, protect businesses and critical infrastructure and maintain law and order."

Deputy police minister Firoz Chachalia warned that those who use the protests as a chance to commit "crimes will face the full might of the law."

"Police will continue to identify, arrest, and prosecute all those responsible for criminal conduct,” he added.

Skip next section Police out in force to curb violence

06/30/2026June 30, 2026

Police out in force to curb violence

South African police have deployed in large numbers to ensure security at the planned anti-immigrant protests amid fears of possible looting and violence.

Firoz Cachalia, the country's police minister, has emphasized that any unlawful actions will be met with force.

He said crime, intimidation, violence, destruction of property and any attempt to undermine public safety will not be tolerated.

This comes as thousands of people, mostly from Malawi and Zimbabwe, gathered in Cape Town and Johannesburg are still waiting for assistance to return to their home countries.

Some have said they have been evicted from their homes or fired from their jobs by landlords or employers who fear reprisal from vigilante groups.

Several African governments have, for the first time ever, organized planes or buses to repatriate their citizens ahead of the unauthorized June 30 deadline set by anti-immigrant groups for undocumented foreign nationals.

South Africa has seen some deadly flare-ups of violence in the past targeting undocumented foreign nationals, with 62 people killed in riots in 2008.

Skip next section READ: Is this a crisis of the government's own making?

06/30/2026June 30, 2026

READ: Is this a crisis of the government's own making?

Analysts DW spoke to argue that the anti-migrant unrest is not really about migration itself but reflects deeper structural problems in South Africa.

It includes deeper issues such as high unemployment, inequality and public frustration with governance.

They say delayed government action, weak policing and corruption have worsened the situation.

DW has asked them whether the crisis is one of the government's own making.

Skip next section WATCH: Xenophobia in South Africa: Who's really paying the price?

06/30/2026June 30, 2026

WATCH: Xenophobia in South Africa: Who's really paying the price?

Thousands of African migrants have been hounded out of South Africa by anti-migrant groups who blame the foreigners for "stealing jobs." The consequences: Brand South Africa is hurting.

Xenophobia in South Africa: Who’s really paying the price?

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Skip next section Shops closed in downtown Johannesburg

06/30/2026June 30, 2026

Shops closed in downtown Johannesburg

The Johannesburg city center and surrounding areas are unusually quiet.

Shops are closed along the main roads in Fordsburg and Newtown.

The popular shopping center Oriental Plaza is also closed, as are many other other shops in downtown Johannesburg.

Store owners appear less than confident as Johannesburg braces for anti-migrant protests, despite assurances from the South African police and government that today will be a normal day.

Skip next section 'We are ready to keep this country safe,' police commissioner tells DW

Published 06/30/2026Published June 30, 2026

'We are ready to keep this country safe,' police commissioner tells DW

Police were gathering at a staging ground in Mayfair, in the south of Johannesburg, in preparation for anti-immigrant marches due to take place today.

There are two events planned for South Africa's biggest city, one in Johannesburg's city center and one in the densely-populated neighborhood of Hillbrow.

Acting police commissioner Puleng Dimpane told DW:

"We are ready for today. We are ready to keep this country safe."

Skip next section Ramaphosa urges peaceful protests

06/30/2026June 30, 2026

Ramaphosa urges peaceful protests

President Cyril Ramaphosa urged those planning to protest to do so peacefully.

In his weekly newsletter, published a day ahead of Tuesday's demonstrations, he acknowledged public concerns about "illegal immigration, border management, pressure on public services, criminal syndicates that exploit our immigration system and the impact these challenges have on communities."

However, Ramaphosa emphasized that the constitutional right to protest does not permit violence, intimidation or vandalism.

"Freedom comes with responsibility," he wrote.

The South African president also rejected vigilantism, saying immigration enforcement must remain the responsibility of lawful authorities.

Ramaphosa said the government is pursuing reforms, including stronger border management and anti-corruption measures.

He noted that many foreign nationals live and work legally in South Africa.

"They work, study, raise families, invest in our economy and contribute positively to our society. They too are entitled to the protection of our laws and our Constitution," he said.

Skip next section WATCH: Fear and uncertainty drive migrants to leave South Africa

06/30/2026June 30, 2026

WATCH: Fear and uncertainty drive migrants to leave South Africa

DW speaks with those people caught up in the anti-migrant rhetoric had been building across South Africa.

Fear, uncertainty drive migrants to leave South Africa

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Skip next section Welcome to our coverage

06/30/2026June 30, 2026

Welcome to our coverage

Today marks a unilaterally imposed deadline by anti-immigration groups for all undocumented immigrants to leave South Africa.

Marches are planned in major cities across the country, with the main demonstration set to take place in Durban, in KwaZulu-Natal province.

March and March, the main organization behind the protests, said it is not calling for violence.

But tensions are high. Three people, including one Malawian and two Mozambican nationals, were killed in the lead-up to today’s "deadline" during recent anti-immigration protests.

There have also been reports of migrant parents and children being intimidated at schools by self-styled vigilantes. Some migrants have even been blocked from accessing hospitals.

The South African government has condemned the violent incidents and distanced itself from the deadline imposed by anti-immigration groups, However, it has also faced criticism from other African states and civil society groups for failing to stop the violence.

Several countries, including Nigeria, Ghana and Malawi, have helped repatriate citizens who say they no longer feel safe in South Africa.

DW will cover today’s developments with a team that includes correspondents in South Africa and Zimbabwe and elsewhere on the continent.

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