South Africa’s police said they made more than 900 arrests during operations conducted alongside nationwide anti-immigration protests on Tuesday.

Acting National Commissioner Puleng Dimpane said the majority of those arrested were illegal foreigners and were taken in connection with law-enforcement actions alongside the demonstrations. She added that some arrests were linked to looting, while others involved offences such as public violence and harbouring illegal immigrants, including business robbery at spaza shops.

Dimpane said the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Free State and KwaZulu-Natal each recorded more than 100 arrests, and said the figures showed police readiness and effectiveness in responding to protests—describing the operations as proactive and disciplined.