South Africa Faces Surge in Anti-immigrant Protests, 900 Arrested

WHO:

Fox News - Lt. Gen. Tebello Mosikili stated, "To those who intend to break the law tomorrow, our message is simple: do not test the resolve of the State."

Fox News - Jacinta Ngobese, leader of the "March and March" group, said, "Unfortunately, we can't be in every single community telling them ... how to behave."

Fox News - Thousands of police officers were deployed across South Africa.

Fox News - Jacinta Ngobese is the leader of the "March and March" group, one of the organizations behind the protests.

WHAT:

Fox News - The clashes mark the largest migration-related protests since anti-migrant violence erupted in South Africa in 2008.

Fox News - While many marches were considered peaceful, police reported that they arrested several looters and fired rubber bullets to disperse crowds.

Fox News - The "March and March" group plans to hold weekly marches until its demands are met, despite the government rejecting the deadline.

Fox News - The clashes mark the largest migration-related protests since anti-migrant violence erupted in South Africa in 2008.

Fox News - Multiple businesses and properties were vandalized in several areas during the protests.

Fox News - National broadcaster SABC reported that protesters looted shacks belonging to foreign nationals in the Soweto township.

Fox News - Police deployed tactical vehicles and fired shots in Benoni, east of Johannesburg, after being confronted by a group of roughly 500 protesters.

Fox News - Over 900 people were arrested during nationwide anti-migrant protests.

Fox News - At least four people have been killed as violence and looting spread across the country.

Fox News - The protests involved thousands of participants, primarily poor or unemployed South Africans.

Fox News - The immigrant population in South Africa stands at about 3 million, or roughly 4% of the total population.

WHERE:

Fox News - Rioters threw stones at police and suspected migrants in Thembisa, a suburb of Johannesburg.

Fox News - Protests occurred in multiple cities across South Africa, including Johannesburg and Durban.

Fox News - Rioters threw stones at police and suspected migrants in Thembisa, a suburb of Johannesburg.

Fox News - 100 Congolese nationals were reported sleeping on the streets of Durban.

WHEN:

Fox News - The "March and March" group plans to hold weekly marches for the next six months until their demands are met.

Fox News - The protests erupted ahead of a June 30 deadline set by some organizers demanding the departure of all illegal migrants.

Fox News - The "March and March" group plans to hold weekly marches for the next six months until their demands are met.

WHY:

Fox News - Protesters claim that foreign migrants have taken jobs by accepting lower wages and are contributing to higher crime rates.

HOW:

Fox News - Police deployed tactical vehicles and fired shots in Benoni, east of Johannesburg, after being confronted by a group of roughly 500 protesters.

Fox News - Lt. Gen. Tebello Mosikili stated, "To those who intend to break the law tomorrow, our message is simple: do not test the resolve of the State."

Fox News - The "March and March" group stated it cannot be held responsible for spontaneous incidents breaking out during the demonstrations. Jacinta Ngobese said, "Unfortunately, we can't be in every single community telling them ... how to behave."

Fox News - Ngobese also stated, "For the next six months, we are asking for our national resources to be used to take the illegal immigrants out of this country. From building to building -- they must go."

Fox News - Police reported that they arrested several looters and fired rubber bullets to disperse crowds.

Fox News - Landlords in Durban and Johannesburg allegedly evicted foreign tenants illegally to avoid further trouble.

Fox News - The military was placed on standby in anticipation of further unrest.

(UPDATED July 1, 2026 19:35 UTC)

Tensions are escalating in South Africa as Lt. Gen. Tebello Mosikili warned potential lawbreakers not to test the resolve of the State, while Jacinta Ngobese, leader of the "March and March" group, expressed the challenge of reaching every community with their message. The ongoing protests, which are the largest migration-related demonstrations since 2008, have seen police arrest several looters and use rubber bullets to disperse crowds, particularly in Thembisa, a suburb of Johannesburg. The "March and March" group plans to hold weekly marches for the next six months, demanding action against what they claim are job losses and rising crime rates linked to foreign migrants.

(UPDATED July 1, 2026 15:53 UTC)

Protests in South Africa have erupted, marking the largest migration-related demonstrations since 2008, with multiple businesses and properties vandalized and shacks belonging to foreign nationals looted in Soweto. Police responded to confrontations with around 500 protesters in Benoni by deploying tactical vehicles and firing shots, while Lt. Gen. Tebello Mosikili warned against breaking the law. The "March and March" group distanced itself from the violence, with Jacinta Ngobese stating that for the next six months, they are demanding national resources be used to remove illegal immigrants from the country.

(UPDATED July 1, 2026 13:49 UTC)

Thousands of police officers have been deployed across South Africa as over 900 people were arrested during nationwide anti-migrant protests that have turned violent, resulting in at least four fatalities. The protests, led by Jacinta Ngobese and her "March and March" group, involve thousands of participants, primarily poor or unemployed South Africans, and are fueled by claims that foreign migrants are taking jobs and contributing to crime. Rioters have clashed with police in cities like Johannesburg and Durban, where some landlords have allegedly evicted foreign tenants, prompting the military to be placed on standby for potential further unrest.