Beatings, Looting and More: What transpired during South Africa's massive anti-migrant protests

Several anti-immigration groups in South Africa held massive protests across the country on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, the unofficial deadline they gave “undocumented” African immigrants to leave the country.

Ahead of the deadline, thousands of Africans living in South Africa either fled the country, leaving behind their businesses and properties, while others took refuge at their embassies and high commissions because of threats to their lives.

Despite a warning by South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa to protesters to refrain from violence and the security measures put in place, the marches were reportedly held in all nine provinces of South Africa, turning violent at multiple locations.

According to multiple reports, the South African Police arrested hundreds of people across the country during the protests for attacking people, including South Africans and looting shops.

Some of the arrests were reportedly linked to brutalities that led to the death of at least one person.

A report by South African-based RCM Radio indicated that nearly 250 arrests were made in the Eastern Cape alone, in addition to the arrest of 200 undocumented migrants.

The report also indicated that one person was killed in Durban after a break-in at a storage facility, which the police are investigating.

It added that 10 other people were also arrested in connection with the looting of shops in Delft, Cape Town.

Viral videos of the protest showed people being beaten and several shops being looted.

One video showed a South African woman saying that her family was attacked because they are from a minority tribe.

She said that her sister has been left traumatised after she was dragged out of the bathroom naked.

Watch the videos below:

"They called my dad iKwerekwere because he is Tsonga. They pulled my sister out of the shower while naked" pic.twitter.com/uwLMzbK8Xv

— Mazwi Blose - MP (@mazwiblose2) June 30, 2026

BAI

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