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Anti-immigrant protests escalate in South Africa; thousands of police deployed
At least 4 people killed and numerous businesses looted during major protests against illegal immigrants in South Africa. Thousands of police deployed nationwide, army put on alert.
Large-scale protests against illegal immigrants in South Africa turned into violent clashes on Tuesday. According to the Reuters news agency, at least 4 people died and many were injured.
The protests erupted ahead of the June 30 deadline set by some groups for all illegal immigrants to leave the country. Thousands of police officers have been deployed nationwide, while the army remains on standby.
Protesters, mostly poor or unemployed South Africans, claim that foreign immigrants are taking jobs at low wages and increasing crime rates.
Violence and looting incidents
In the Soweto area of Johannesburg, activists looted shacks belonging to immigrants. In the Thembisa suburb, protesters threw stones at police and people believed to be immigrants; witnesses reported hearing gunshots in some places.
In Benoni, east of Johannesburg, police confronted a group of about 500 people, deploying tactical vehicles and firing warning shots. State broadcaster SABC reported that many looters were arrested and police used rubber bullets to disperse the crowd.
In Durban and Johannesburg, some landlords are alleged to have illegally evicted foreign tenants to avoid trouble, while 100 Congolese immigrants were reported to be sleeping on the streets of Durban.
Statement from the 'March and March' group
Jacinta Ngobese, leader of 'March and March', one of the groups organizing the protests, said they cannot be held responsible for the spontaneous incidents that occurred during the demonstrations. Ngobese stated that they demand the government take action to deport immigrants and will organize weekly marches until their demands are met.
The South African government, however, had rejected the deadline set by civil groups, stating that only authorized authorities can enforce immigration laws.
Background
South Africa, despite its high unemployment rate, remains the largest economy in Africa and continues to attract immigrants. According to StatsSA data, the immigrant population in the country is about 3 million, approximately 4% of the total population. Tuesday's clashes are recorded as the largest protests since the anti-immigrant violence in 2008.
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