Thousands of people marched across South Africa to demand the departure of undocumented foreign nationals after a weeks-long campaign that has sent thousands fleeing and claimed four lives.
Police were out in force for nationwide protests led by citizen-led groups that set an unofficial June 30 deadline for foreigners without papers to leave.
There were isolated incidents of tension, including stone-throwing and confrontations near Johannesburg where security forces escorted a handful of foreign nationals away from a mob.
Several people were arrested for looting and soldiers were deployed in the cities of Johannesburg and Durban for the night, authorities said.
Crowds of demonstrators brandishing sticks and flags moved through central Johannesburg over the day - while most shops stayed shuttered, workers stayed home and transport hubs were quiet.
In the southeastern city of Durban, the Zulu heartland, protesters turned out in traditional warrior attire, carrying spears, whips and shields, and some draped in leopard skins.
Demonstrator Brightness Gumbi, 48, said she was frustrated at not being able to afford to rent a premises for her business while foreign nationals were able to run shops.
She told AFP: “The illegal foreigners manage to pay it because they sell drugs to our people. I hope through these demonstrations our president will hear our cries and enforce stricter laws.”
One of the continent’s wealthiest countries, South Africa is a magnet for migrant labour while grappling with an unemployment rate above 30%, high crime and a breakdown in services in many areas.
Groups mobilising against illegal immigrants accuse them of taking jobs and services, which analysts say is scapegoating foreign nationals for government failures.
At least two Mozambicans, an Ethiopian and a Malawian have been killed in the past weeks of protests, according to police.
A foreign national was found dead yesterday after he allegedly jumped from the eighth floor of a building in Durban, apparently in fear that he was being chased, police said.
As the tensions mounted, several African governments – including Nigeria, Malawi, Ghana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique – organised voluntary repatriation flights and buses for their citizens.
More than 25,000 people had been processed for departure in recent weeks, authorities said on Monday.
In the past few days alone, nearly 4300 foreign nationals were repatriated and more than 400 deported, justice minister Mmamoloko Kubayi told reporters on Tuesday.
Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, the leader of the anti-illegal immigrant March and March group, told a crowd in Durban: “We want mass deportation.
“For the next six months we want the government to get rid of the people who have not left.”
As the protests unfolded in several cities, hundreds of migrants – mostly Malawians and Zimbabweans – gathered in Cape Town, Johannesburg and other centres waiting for assistance to go home.
Some said their landlords had evicted them or their employers had fired them, fearing fines from labour inspectors or attacks by vigilante groups.
A 23-year-old Zimbabwean woman, who asked to remain anonymous, said: “The people in South Africa, they don’t want us here. I’m scared.”
Adam John, 32, said: “I thought I could stay on but neighbours warned us last night. I felt that it is better to try and get home while I still can.”
In 2008. an anti-foreigner riot in South Africa left 62 people dead.
- AFP