Tensions over immigration in South Africa have intensified after police arrested 69 people following an anti-migrant protest that descended into looting in the Eastern Cape province.
The protest, held in Jeffreys Bay, was organised by the anti-immigrant group March and March, according to police, with at least 23 small businesses looted during the unrest.
Authorities said several foreign nationals were moved to temporary shelters for their safety, while one person was hospitalised following the violence. Police described the situation as unstable but said additional officers had been deployed to restore calm and prevent further attacks.
The incident comes amid weeks of protests across South Africa targeting undocumented migrants, with thousands of foreigners reportedly leaving the country amid growing fears of violence.
An AFP tally based on figures from African countries that have repatriated their citizens shows that nearly 150,000 people have left South Africa in recent weeks.
The unrest has also raised concerns over xenophobic attacks, with police confirming that at least four foreign nationals have been killed during the protests, although some governments have reported higher figures.
In parts of Gauteng province, including Johannesburg and Pretoria, groups armed with sticks have reportedly gone from door to door demanding that foreign nationals leave, accusing them of taking jobs and opportunities from South Africans.
The South African government said hundreds of people have been arrested over offences including intimidation, incitement, unlawful conduct and related crimes. Authorities have continued to call for peaceful engagement, warning that violence against migrants threatens social stability and the country’s economy.
The government has maintained that immigration challenges must be addressed through legal processes rather than attacks on individuals or communities.
