Story perspectives

South Africa Preps for June 30 Anti-Immigration Protests, Mass Deportations

6/25/2026

Summary

Story summary

Anti-immigration protesters have set a June 30 deadline demanding that undocumented migrants leave South Africa.
President Cyril Ramaphosa and police officials are preparing for the June 30 demonstrations as deportations continue.
Acting police minister Firoz Cachalia met Defence Minister Angie Motshekga to coordinate security for the protests.
Justice Minister Mmamoloko Nkhensani Kubayi is overseeing bus evacuations of foreign nationals while Nigeria, Ghana and Malawi have repatriated nearly 2,000 citizens.

History

Historical Context

In May 2008 xenophobic riots in Johannesburg and Durban killed at least 62 people and displaced thousands of foreign workers, prompting President Thabo Mbeki to deploy the army—the first civilian deployment since apartheid. Recurring attacks in 2015, 2019 and the early 2020s have sustained anti-immigrant tension, so President Cyril Ramaphosa and Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia coordinate security as protests demand migrant departures by June 30.

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Story summary

Anti-immigration protesters have set a June 30 deadline demanding that undocumented migrants leave South Africa.
President Cyril Ramaphosa and police officials are preparing for the June 30 demonstrations as deportations continue.
Acting police minister Firoz Cachalia met Defence Minister Angie Motshekga to coordinate security for the protests.
Justice Minister Mmamoloko Nkhensani Kubayi is overseeing bus evacuations of foreign nationals while Nigeria, Ghana and Malawi have repatriated nearly 2,000 citizens.

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