South African police said they arrested over 900 people during nationwide anti-migrant protests held Tuesday. Authorities reported that out of 120 marches, 108 remained peaceful while 12 saw unrest that required law enforcement intervention, including looting and related criminality.
Officials said some of those arrested were undocumented migrants detained for violating immigration rules. Others were taken into custody on charges including public violence, harbouring illegal immigrants, and robbery.
Police said reinforcements were deployed overnight to respond to isolated incidents across several provinces. Soldiers were also sent to support policing in Johannesburg’s Hillbrow area.
The marches were organized around an unofficial “deadline” calling on undocumented migrants to leave South Africa. The protests follow months of unrest that have drawn international criticism, as foreigners have faced harassment and violence and some have had their homes and businesses targeted.
The demonstrations were linked to groups including March and March, Operation Dudula, and Progressive Forces. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa met with leaders of some protest groups to urge peaceful demonstrations, while human rights organizations criticized the movement for scapegoating migrants and migrants’ rights groups warned xenophobia and misinformation could fuel further violence.
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