South Africa braces for nationwide anti‑immigrant protests on June 30

President Cyril Ramaphosa urged South Africans to exercise their constitutional right to protest peacefully and warned that violence, intimidation or vandalism would not be tolerated. He acknowledged genuine concerns about illegal immigration, border management and public‑service pressure, and said the government is reforming the immigration system and strengthening border enforcement.

The government placed police, the South African National Defence Force and private security on high alert, cancelled police leave, activated joint operations centres and deployed additional roadblocks and checkpoints. Anti‑immigrant groups, notably March and March led by former radio presenter Jacinta Ngobese‑Zuma, announced an unofficial deadline of 30 June for all undocumented migrants to leave, urging a national shutdown if their demands were not met.

Thousands of migrants, mainly from Malawi and Zimbabwe, gathered in makeshift camps in Durban and other cities to catch buses out of the country. Many families were separated, with fathers leaving children behind out of fear of violence. Aid groups provided food and clothing while the Department of Home Affairs processed deportations and arranged transport to border posts.

The United Nations, Amnesty International and South Africa’s Human Rights Commission called for calm, respect for human rights and warned against vigilantism. The ANC, the SAHRC and other civic bodies also appealed for restraint. Business and freight sectors prepared contingency plans amid fears of disruption, but officials insisted essential services would continue as normal.