• Thousands joined anti-migrant protests across major South African cities.
• President Cyril Ramaphosa urged peaceful demonstrations amid fears of violence.
• Increased police presence deployed to prevent potential unrest and intimidation.
• Reports indicate that many foreign nationals have fled or are seeking repatriation.
• Historical context of xenophobia in South Africa raises concerns about violence.

The ongoing anti-migrant protests in South Africa have seen thousands of participants rallying in cities such as Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban, and Cape Town. These protests are part of a movement called March and March, which demands the expulsion of all undocumented foreigners by an unofficial deadline. Although the demonstrations have largely remained peaceful, they come amid heightened fears of xenophobic violence, reminiscent of previous outbreaks in 2008 that left numerous people dead, according to South China Morning Post and Al Jazeera.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has engaged with leaders of the anti-migrant groups, urging them to conduct their protests lawfully and peacefully. He reiterated that the right to protest should not infringe upon the rights of other individuals, emphasizing that “taking the law into one’s own hands is vigilantism.” Amid these developments, the South African government has stated that it alone is responsible for enforcing migration laws, rejecting the threats made by protesting groups, according to BBC and South China Morning Post.

The situation has severely affected foreign nationals, with many fleeing the protests or seeking help from their embassies. Reports include significant numbers of deportations and repatriations, with countries like Malawi and Nigeria assisting their nationals in returning safely. The UN estimates thousands have fled shelters where they felt unsafe, intimidated by promises of violence against undocumented migrants, according to BBC and Al Jazeera.

The backdrop of these protests includes a national unemployment rate exceeding 30% and a history of anti-immigrant sentiment, which has manifested in significant violence over the years. Some participants express that they are frustrated with the government, seeing undocumented migrants as threats to job security and social services. Previous incidents of xenophobic attacks in South Africa, leading to numerous fatalities and imprisonment of foreigners, have only heightened fears ahead of the elections scheduled for November, according to South China Morning Post and Al Jazeera.