Groups of demonstrators moved through several neighbourhoods, demanding that foreign nationals they claimed were living in the country illegally leave immediately. Witnesses said some protesters entered residential buildings and ordered occupants to produce identification documents before forcing some to vacate their homes.
Police were deployed to monitor the demonstrations and maintain order, while authorities urged residents not to take the law into their own hands. No immediate reports of serious injuries were released.
The protests come amid growing public frustration over unemployment, crime and pressure on public services, issues that some groups have increasingly linked to undocumented migration. Civil society organisations, however, warned that migrants and refugees are often unfairly blamed for broader socio-economic challenges.
South Africa has experienced repeated outbreaks of anti-immigrant violence over the past two decades, with foreign-owned businesses frequently targeted during periods of heightened tension.
Human rights groups condemned the latest incidents, saying the forced removal of people from their homes violated the rule of law and risked fuelling further violence. They called on authorities to protect vulnerable communities while addressing immigration concerns through legal and constitutional processes.
The government has repeatedly said it is strengthening border controls and immigration enforcement but has also urged communities to report suspected immigration offences to the relevant authorities rather than resort to intimidation or violence.
The latest unrest underscores the delicate balance South Africa faces as it grapples with economic hardship, high unemployment and growing public pressure for tougher action on illegal immigration.
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