Violence broke out across parts of South Africa on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, as anti-immigration protests turned chaotic despite repeated calls by President Cyril Ramaphosa for demonstrators to remain peaceful.
The nationwide protests followed an unofficial deadline issued by anti-migrant groups demanding that undocumented African immigrants leave the country.
Ahead of the protests, thousands of foreign nationals reportedly left South Africa, abandoning businesses and property, while others sought refuge at their respective embassies and high commissions over fears for their safety.
Although security agencies deployed personnel across the country, demonstrations held in all nine provinces reportedly descended into violence in several areas.
According to multiple reports, South African police arrested hundreds of people for offences including assault, looting and public disorder.
Some of the arrests were linked to violent incidents that resulted in at least one death.
A report by South African broadcaster RCM Radio said nearly 250 people were arrested in the Eastern Cape during the protests. Authorities also detained about 200 undocumented migrants in the province.
The report further indicated that one person was killed in Durban following a break-in at a storage facility, with police investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.
In Cape Town, police arrested 10 people in connection with the looting of shops in the Delft area.
Videos circulating on social media showed protesters assaulting people, vandalising property and looting businesses.
One widely shared video featured a South African woman alleging that her family was attacked because they belonged to a minority ethnic group.
According to her, her sister was left traumatised after being dragged naked from a bathroom during the attack.
Authorities have yet to provide a comprehensive nationwide assessment of the damage caused by the protests, while investigations into the incidents of violence and looting continue.
