Anti-migrant protests erupt in South Africa

Large crowds gathered in Johannesburg on Tuesday for anti-immigration demonstrations, part of a nationwide day of protests demanding that undocumented migrants leave South Africa.

Protesters marched through the city centre, Hillbrow and Yeoville, carrying traditional whips, wooden clubs, sticks, and South African flags. Similar marches took place in Durban and other cities.

The demonstrations come after anti-immigrant groups set a June 30 deadline for undocumented foreigners to leave the country.

Many businesses in central Johannesburg closed for the day, and large numbers of migrants stayed away from work or fled in fear of violence. Footage from the protests showed a vehicle set ablaze as police fired warning shots to disperse crowds.

Organisers claim illegal immigrants are taking jobs, straining public services, and contributing to high crime rates.

Some clashes were reported, including incidents of looting and evictions in suburbs with large migrant populations. Police made arrests and deployed heavily in hotspot areas.