Dozens of anti-illegal immigration protesters marched through Kwa-Thema township east of Johannesburg on Monday, a day after President Cyril Ramaphosa pledged stronger action against illegal immigration while warning against lawlessness and xenophobic violence.
The demonstration, held in Kwa-Thema, approximately 40 kilometres southeast of Johannesburg, saw protesters singing and chanting slogans calling for tougher government measures to address undocumented migration. Footage broadcast by the South African Broadcasting Corporation showed the march proceeding peacefully, although some participants were carrying sticks.
The protest forms part of a growing nationwide campaign by anti-illegal immigration groups, which have intensified pressure on government in recent months and called on undocumented foreign nationals to leave South Africa by 30 June.
In a national address on Sunday evening, Ramaphosa acknowledged growing public concerns over illegal immigration but cautioned against communities taking the law into their own hands.
"We will and must not allow groups to use the legitimate concerns of South Africans to destabilise our country through inciting lawlessness and violence," the president said.
"We will act against forces who are exploiting the concerns of our people about illegal immigration to further their own political, personal or criminal agendas."
Organisers of the protests welcomed the president's acknowledgement of the issue but indicated that their campaign would continue.
South Africa is home to more than three million foreign nationals, accounting for just over five percent of the country's population. However, persistent unemployment, which remains above 30 percent, has fuelled tensions in some communities, with migrants often blamed for economic hardships and competition for jobs.
The country has experienced several outbreaks of anti-immigrant violence over the past two decades. The deadliest incidents occurred in 2008 when 62 people were killed. Further outbreaks were recorded in 2015, 2016 and 2019.
The latest wave of tensions has already claimed lives, with reports indicating that at least two Mozambican citizens have been killed.
Last month, hundreds of foreign nationals, including citizens of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda and Somalia, sought refuge in the port city of Durban after claiming that residents had gone door-to-door demanding that foreigners leave their communities by the end of June.
The unrest has prompted several African countries to organise the voluntary return of their citizens.
Ghana has arranged repatriation flights for hundreds of its nationals, while Malawi and Mozambique have coordinated transport to assist citizens wishing to return home.
South Africa's border authorities confirmed that more than 600 Ghanaian nationals were processed for departure over the weekend, bringing the total number of Ghanaians who have left the country to 995.
The first group of Nigerian nationals is expected to depart on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, governments including Kenya, Lesotho and Zimbabwe have advised their citizens living in South Africa to remain vigilant and avoid areas where tensions may escalate.
Government has reiterated its commitment to addressing illegal immigration through legal and institutional measures, while maintaining that violence, intimidation and xenophobia will not be tolerated.