South Africa Arrests 900 Amid Anti-Immigrant Protests

South African Police Arrest Over 900 Amid Nationwide Anti-Immigrant Demonstrations

The arrests involved a mix of undocumented migrants violating immigration regulations and individuals detained for public violence, robbery, and harboring illegal immigrants. Law enforcement reinforcements were dispatched overnight to five of the nation’s nine provinces to address isolated reports of looting and criminal activity, with soldiers deployed to support police in Johannesburg’s Hillbrow neighborhood. Incidents included five arrests in Soweto for allegedly looting a foreign-owned shop and another five arrests in Hammarsdale, KwaZulu-Natal, over a tuck shop break-in.

Protest Organization and Demands

The demonstrations capped weeks of unrest organized by a loose coalition of minor political parties and citizen-led groups, which demanded the departure of foreign nationals lacking residency papers. Prominent organizations leading the movement include March and March, Operation Dudula, and Progressive Forces.

In cities such as Johannesburg and Durban, demonstrators massed in large crowds. In Durban—situated in the Zulu heartland—participants included members of the Zulu regiment known as the “Amabutho” marching in traditional warrior attire with spears, whips, shields, and leopard skins. Protest leaders argued that illegal immigration has caused a proliferation of illicit drugs and complained that a high percentage of informal neighborhood shops are run by immigrants from other African nations. Protest leader Ngizwe Mchunu told The Associated Press, It’s a very sad story that we have been telling our government since the dawn of democracy that illegal immigration here is out of hand, adding, It is time for our government to put South Africa first.

Ahead of the protests, President Cyril Ramaphosa met with leaders of some anti-immigrant groups to request peaceful demonstrations and urged demonstrators to refrain from intimidation, threats, or ultimatums. Ramaphosa has challenged allegations that migrants are responsible for the country’s social and economic difficulties. Amnesty International South Africa similarly stated that migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers are being unfairly blamed for unemployment, inequality, and struggling public services, attributing those challenges to apartheid’s legacy, persistent inequality, and flaws in the asylum system.

Displacement and Regional Impact

The latest protests follow months of unrest that have driven foreigners from their homes and resulted in vandalized businesses and property. According to South African police, 25,000 people have been repatriated so far amid the ongoing violence and intimidation.

The tensions have prompted several nations to evacuate citizens. Nigeria has continued a voluntary evacuation program, with Nigeria’s Federal Government evacuating almost 1,500 of its citizens from South Africa this year, including 271 Nigerians who arrived at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on Tuesday aboard an Air Peace flight from Johannesburg. Additionally, Ghana evacuated 1,000 citizens on Sunday, July 26, 2026, bringing its total to nearly 2,000 repatriated individuals since June.

Diplomatic engagement has accompanied the crisis. Chrispin Phiri, spokesperson for South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation, participated in a face-to-face meeting in Abuja with Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Sola Enikanolaiye, where Nigerian officials demanded an end to attacks on their citizens. Phiri stated that law enforcement is arresting citizens engaging in anti-immigration raids and highlighted that authorities had brought 69 cases before the court in the Western Cape alone to face prosecution for vigilantism.