Thousands Protest Against Migrants in South Africa

On Tuesday, numerous individuals took to the streets in South Africa to protest against migrants, with a significant police force present to maintain order. The rallies, organized by March and March, took place in cities such as Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban, and Cape Town, calling for the expulsion of all undocumented immigrants. These events represented the peak of weeks of demonstrations that have led to the displacement of thousands, primarily African nationals, and were mostly peaceful. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa met with three leaders of the anti-migrant movement on Monday, urging them to ensure protests remain lawful. He stressed that the right to protest should come with the responsibility to do so peacefully. The government is actively tackling migration challenges and is the sole authority on enforcing related laws. Concerns about potential xenophobic violence reminiscent of the 2008 incidents, which resulted in 62 deaths, have been reignited. Organizers attribute the protests to high unemployment and a global opposition to foreigners, with 25,000 individuals already having departed the nation.