JOHANNESBURG — South African authorities maintained heightened police and military deployments following deadly anti-immigration unrest that accompanied nationwide protests, as officials said more than 900 people had been arrested and pledged to continue enforcing public order.
The South African Police Service said the coordinated demonstrations on June 30 were held in about 120 locations across the country after anti-immigration groups had set an unofficial deadline for undocumented migrants to leave South Africa. Police said 108 marches remained peaceful, while 12 required intervention because of violence, looting and other criminal activity.
Deputy National Police Commissioner Tebello Mosikili told a media briefing that those arrested faced allegations including immigration violations, public violence, robbery and harbouring undocumented migrants. She said police reinforcements had been deployed across five provinces, while soldiers were sent to Johannesburg's Hillbrow district after two people were wounded in a shooting.
Police said one person was fatally shot during looting in Johannesburg's Alexandra township targeting shops owned by foreign nationals. In Durban, authorities opened an inquest into the death of a foreign national who allegedly fell from a building after fearing he was being targeted amid the unrest. Officials said investigations into both incidents were continuing.
The protests followed weeks of rising hostility toward migrants that prompted several African governments, including Malawi, Mozambique, Ghana and Nigeria, to assist citizens wishing to return home. South Africa hosts an estimated three million immigrants, according to available official and international data, while rights groups have warned against collective blame for economic hardship and crime.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has condemned vigilante action and said only the state has the authority to enforce immigration laws. In an earlier national address, he pledged action against groups responsible for xenophobic violence while also promising tougher measures against illegal immigration through lawful channels.
Protest organisers have argued that undocumented immigration contributes to unemployment, crime and pressure on public services. Government officials have acknowledged public concern over illegal immigration but have repeatedly said enforcement must remain the responsibility of law enforcement agencies and that violence and intimidation would not be tolerated.
Police said security deployments would remain in place in affected areas as investigations into the killings, shootings and attacks on businesses continued. Authorities urged residents to report criminal activity through official channels and warned that anyone engaging in violence or looting would face prosecution.
