Thousands of people demonstrated in several major South African cities on Tuesday demanding the departure of undocumented migrants, with violent attacks against foreigners from other African countries breaking out on the sidelines of the marches despite heavy security measures.
Demonstrators stormed and looted several migrant-run homes and businesses in suburbs of the city of Johannesburg, according to police.
In KwaZulu-Natal province, police detained 10 people on charges of looting and breaking and entering.
More than 25,000 migrants deported or departed
The marches marked the June 30 deadline set by the civic movement March and March - which has adopted increasingly radical rhetoric - by which it had demanded the departure of all undocumented migrants.
More than 25,000 foreign nationals have left or been deported in recent weeks, South African authorities said. Fear of violence has led not only undocumented but also legal migrants to opt for voluntary return.
March and March leader Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma announced weekly demonstrations for the coming months to supporters in Durban, according to media reports.
The movement demands stricter enforcement of immigration law, mass deportations and tighter border checks. It claims, without evidence, that undocumented migrants contribute to crime and unemployment in South Africa.
