South Africa tightens security as June 30 anti-illegal immigration protests loom

Security has been stepped up across South Africa as anti-illegal immigration demonstrations planned for June 30 approach, with government officials urging calm and warning that the rule of law will be enforced.

Government moves to prevent violence

Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia addressed a police parade ahead of deployments, saying that everyone in South Africa citizens, refugees, asylum seekers, documented and undocumented foreign nationals is entitled to constitutional protection.

“There will be no tolerance for vigilantism, no tolerance for xenophobic or any type of violence, no tolerance for intimidation, and no tolerance for anyone, no matter who they are, who thinks they can decide who may or may not live in our communities,” Cachalia said.

The police said deployments aim not only to respond to violence but to prevent it through visible policing, intelligence-led operations, early intervention and action against those inciting violence or issuing threats online. The Acting Police Minister also met representatives from the private security industry to strengthen cooperation between public and private security structures.

Organisers, responses and warnings

The demonstrations have been organised by anti-illegal immigration groups including March and March. According to IOL, March and March leader Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma had not responded to questions by the time of publication regarding expected protest hotspots, security arrangements, the movement’s stance against violence and whether demonstrations would continue beyond June 30.

Representatives of March and March and affiliated organisations reportedly told media at a Gauteng briefing that the demonstrations would remain peaceful. Media reports quoted Ngobese-Zuma as saying there would be no violence, killings or looting during the protests, and the organisations said their campaign targeted illegal immigration rather than foreign nationals generally.

Government has repeatedly said June 30 is not a national shutdown and that normal business should continue. Authorities warned that private individuals and groups have no authority to demand documentation from members of the public or to block access to schools, clinics, hospitals or businesses.

Where tensions have been identified

Police and private security structures have identified Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, the Western Cape and the Eastern Cape as potential flashpoints. In KwaZulu-Natal, Premier Thami Ntuli cautioned community safety structures against allowing a repeat of the July 2021 unrest and warned of business and job losses if violence erupts and property is destroyed.

Border and repatriation activity

Government statements cited border and repatriation activity as part of its response. By June 25, 15,162 Malawian nationals had been processed for deportation and repatriation, with additional people undergoing verification at temporary repatriation centres, the statement said. The government said Malawi, Ghana, Nigeria, Mozambique and Zimbabwe had offered to facilitate voluntary repatriation of their nationals, and that Kenya and the Democratic Republic of Congo had recently submitted requests.

The Border Management Authority told reporters that conditions for Malawian nationals in Sherwood, Che Guevara, Durban Drive-In and eMsunduzi in KwaZulu-Natal had become untenable because of large numbers and a resulting humanitarian emergency. Authorities expanded the jurisdiction of the Musina Refugee Reception Office to assist with verification and established a temporary repatriation processing centre outside Musina to speed up processing and improve movement through the Beitbridge border post.

The Border Management Authority, working alongside the SAPS, SANDF and other law enforcement agencies, reported heightened security at land, air and sea ports of entry, with static checkpoints and roadblocks on major routes leading to critical ports, including Beitbridge.

Arrests, charges and civic responses

Government reported that by June 21 authorities had opened 89 criminal cases linked to public order incidents and incitement, up from 53 the previous week. A total of 164 people had been arrested on charges including incitement to violence and contravening the Regulation of Gatherings Act.

Civil society and labour formations have voiced concerns: the Siyafana Sonke Action Campaign, a coalition of more than 160 civil society organisations, trade unions, civic groups and social justice activists, met government to raise concerns about escalating xenophobic violence, forced removals, displacement and intimidation. Labour federations including Fedusa, Saftu and Cosatu joined an online rally called “Defend Democracy. Reject the Shutdown” that called for constitutionalism and respect for the rule of law.

Expert view

Political analyst Dr Ayabulela Dlakavu, a senior lecturer at the Wits School of Governance, described the climate as reflecting a broader international rise in anti-immigration politics. He said hostility towards migrants was often driven by economic insecurity and competition for limited resources, and pointed to weaknesses in implementation of immigration laws, including porous borders and corrupt border control processes.

What authorities are asking of the public

Officials have urged calm, warned against vigilantism and said responsibility for maintaining public order rests with the government. President Cyril Ramaphosa and other officials met business leaders ahead of June 30, and police leaders held talks with transport and private security stakeholders to coordinate preparations.

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