More than 900 people were arrested during nationwide anti-migrant protests in South Africa on Tuesday, as demonstrations were largely peaceful but turned violent in some areas, police said.
Deputy National Police Commissioner Tebello Mosikili said authorities monitored 120 protest marches across the country. While 108 remained peaceful, police were forced to intervene in 12 protests that escalated into violence, looting, and public unrest.
Among those arrested were undocumented migrants accused of violating immigration laws, as well as individuals facing charges including public violence, robbery, and harbouring undocumented migrants.
Police also deployed additional officers to five of South Africa’s nine provinces overnight to contain isolated incidents of looting and criminal activity. In Johannesburg, soldiers were sent to the Hillbrow area to assist law enforcement.
The demonstrations were organised to mark an unofficial deadline set by anti-immigrant groups demanding that undocumented migrants leave the country.
The protests follow months of growing anti-immigrant unrest that has drawn international criticism, with reports of foreign nationals being forced from their homes and their businesses and properties targeted in attacks.
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