Anti-immigrant protests have intensified across South African cities, with demonstrators demanding that undocumented foreigners leave the country. Shops have been closed and police deployed to maintain order.

Anti-immigrant groups set Tuesday as a deadline for undocumented migrants to depart, falsely claiming they would face arrest and deportation otherwise. The South African government has rejected these threats, but thousands have been forced to flee.

President Cyril Ramaphosa stated Monday that the right to protest does not allow threatening or intimidating others, nor acts of vandalism or violence. He called such actions vigilantism.

Al Jazeera correspondent Haru Mutasa reported from Johannesburg that protesters include working-class and middle-class South Africans from various tribes. Their common goal is to pressure the government to act against undocumented foreigners.

Protesters express frustration over unfulfilled government promises and question why they cannot find jobs despite having degrees. The protests began as small gatherings in April but have grown significantly.

Weeks of xenophobic attacks have resulted in at least two Mozambicans, one Ethiopian, and one Malawian killed, according to AFP. While groups claim to target undocumented migrants, legal foreign nationals are also at risk.

Thousands of foreign nationals are camping outside consulates and shelters for protection. Some report being evicted or fired by landlords and employers fearing fines or attacks.

Many foreign nationals have already left the country, some independently, others with embassy assistance. Several African nations have sent aircraft and buses to repatriate their citizens.

With November elections approaching, some politicians are increasingly using anti-immigrant rhetoric. South Africa has a history of such violence: 62 died in 2008 riots, with further attacks in 2015, 2016, and 2019 when at least 12 were killed.

Source: www.aljazeera.com