More than 900 people were arrested across South Africa following the nationwide anti-immigration marches held on Tuesday, 30 June 2026.
Police said the arrests followed a major law enforcement operation linked to demonstrations in all nine provinces.
The marches were organised around demands for undocumented foreign nationals to leave South Africa.
Although many marches were peaceful, police said some incidents turned violent or led to criminal activity.
Authorities said arrests were made for offences including public violence, looting, business robbery, harbouring undocumented foreign nationals and contraventions of immigration laws.
Police Brief the Nation
Acting National Commissioner Puleng Dimpane briefed the media on the police operation after the protests.
She said law enforcement agencies were not only present on the ground but also proactive.
According to police, the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Free State and KwaZulu-Natal each recorded more than 100 arrests.
This shows how widespread the operation was.
Police also said the arrests were linked to both protest-related crimes and enforcement operations carried out alongside the marches.
Officials said some people tried to use the demonstrations as cover for looting and attacks on businesses.
Most Marches Peaceful
NATJOINTS said 120 marches took place across the country.
Out of those, 108 remained peaceful.
Only 12 required police intervention.
That means the majority of protesters exercised their constitutional right to march without major disruption.
However, the smaller number of violent incidents still placed communities, businesses and foreign nationals under pressure.
Police said they had planned for possible unrest because of the tense build-up to the June 30 deadline.
Several anti-immigration groups had warned undocumented foreign nationals to leave the country by that date.
Arrests Linked to Several Crimes
Police said the arrests covered a range of offences.
Some suspects were arrested for public violence.
Others were linked to looting and business robbery, including incidents involving spaza shops.
Some were arrested for allegedly harbouring undocumented migrants.
A large number of arrests were also linked to immigration violations.
The police said the operations were aimed at stopping criminal conduct and protecting public order.
They also said those arrested would be processed through the criminal justice system.
Eastern Cape Records High Numbers
The Eastern Cape was among the provinces with high arrest numbers.
Police said more than 200 people were arrested after 28 anti-illegal migration marches across the province.
Most of those arrested were described by police as undocumented foreign nationals.
Others faced charges linked to protest activity.
Authorities said the province remained mostly calm, despite isolated incidents in areas such as Bizana, Lusikisiki and Duncan Village.
Police also said officers would remain visible in identified hotspots.
Gauteng Tensions Turn Deadly
Gauteng also saw serious tension during the protests.
Reports said one person died in Alexandra during looting linked to foreign-owned spaza shops.
Two people were also injured in Hillbrow after gunfire erupted.
These incidents show how quickly anti-immigration protests can become dangerous when criminal groups take advantage of public anger.
Police and military reinforcements were deployed in some areas to restore order and prevent further violence.
Government Praises Police Response
Government and police leaders described the operation as a success.
They said the country avoided the large-scale violence many had feared. Authorities also thanked organisers and communities that cooperated with law enforcement.
However, they warned that anyone who uses protests to loot, attack people or intimidate foreign nationals will face the law.
Police said their response proved that security forces were ready and organised. They said officers worked with discipline and moved quickly when trouble started.
Immigration Anger Still Growing
The protests came after weeks of rising tension over undocumented foreign nationals. Some groups blame migrants for unemployment, crime and pressure on public services.
However, government leaders have repeatedly warned against xenophobia and vigilantism. They have said immigration enforcement is the responsibility of the state, not private citizens or protest groups.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has also condemned intolerance and warned South Africans not to take the law into their own hands.
Despite those warnings, many migrants left their homes or closed businesses before the marches. Some feared attacks, looting or forced removals.
Police Remain on Alert
Although the main June 30 demonstrations have passed, police remain on high alert.
Authorities are still monitoring hotspots across the country.
This is important because some protest leaders have suggested that demonstrations may continue.
Police will now focus on preventing revenge attacks, protecting businesses and ensuring that arrests lead to proper legal processes.
The situation remains sensitive. Communities are frustrated. Foreign nationals are fearful.
And government must now balance immigration enforcement with the protection of human rights and public safety.
A Warning After June 30
The more than 900 arrests show that the anti-immigration marches were not only a political event.
They also became a major security test for South Africa.
Most marches were peaceful, but the arrests prove that criminality did take place in several areas.
For police, the message is clear.
Peaceful protest will be allowed.
But looting, violence, intimidation and attacks on foreign nationals will not be tolerated.
As South Africa deals with immigration concerns, authorities now face a bigger challenge. They must enforce the law while preventing fear, xenophobia and further unrest.
