VIDEO: Thousands March As Anti-immigration Protests Rock South Africa

Thousands of anti-immigration protesters marched across South Africa on Tuesday, demanding the removal of undocumented foreigners as security agencies deployed heavily to prevent violence.

The demonstrations, which followed an unofficial June 30 deadline issued by anti-migration campaigners for undocumented migrants to leave the country, sparked fresh concerns among foreign nationals, including Nigerians.

Videos circulating online showed large crowds marching through Johannesburg, calling for undocumented immigrants to leave South Africa.

According to the BBC, police officers were deployed across the country over fears that the protests could degenerate into violence.

Ahead of the demonstrations, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa appealed to protesters to remain peaceful.

He urged demonstrators to avoid “intimidation, threats or ultimatums,” while acknowledging the need for reforms to the country’s immigration system.

The BBC reported that although the demonstrations were largely peaceful nationwide, there were isolated incidents of looting and attempted looting.

In Johannesburg, the city centre was unusually quiet, with many businesses remaining shut as police maintained a strong presence on major roads.

Some protesters reportedly threw bricks at residential buildings in Yeoville, a suburb with a large African migrant population, smashing several windows.

Police also arrested five people in Soweto over the alleged looting of a foreign-owned shop, while another five suspects were arrested in Hammarsdale, KwaZulu-Natal, in connection with the alleged break-in of a tuck shop.

The protests heightened anxiety among Nigerians living in South Africa.

On Monday, dozens of Nigerians gathered at the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria, saying they feared possible xenophobic attacks ahead of the demonstrations.

Some said they felt safer at the embassy following reports of planned protests, while others who had registered for evacuation said they remained stranded because they were not scheduled to leave on the latest flight.

According to the BBC, many undocumented migrants had already fled to escape violence and intimidation, while South African police said about 25,000 people, mostly from other African countries, had been repatriated.

One undocumented Malawian preparing to leave South Africa told the broadcaster he was “happy to be going back” but “heartbroken” to leave behind his four young children.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government has continued its voluntary evacuation programme for Nigerians wishing to return home.

Another batch of 271 Nigerians arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Tuesday aboard an Air Peace flight from Johannesburg.

The returnees were received by officials of the National Emergency Management Agency, the Nigeria Immigration Service and the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission.

The evacuation is part of the Federal Government’s efforts to assist Nigerians who have chosen to return home as anti-immigration tensions persist in South Africa.