Protesters in South Africa who oppose illegal immigration took to the streets calling for the government to carry out more deportations, The Washington Post reports. The demonstrations were organized by civil society groups, according to EWN. The actions coincided with what business and news outlets described as a national shutdown during the week.
Coverage of the events came from several South African and international outlets, including The Washington Post, EWN, businesstech.co.za, news24.com and CLUB OF MOZAMBIQUE. The reporting indicates the protests focused on demands for stronger enforcement against people living in the country without legal status.
The demonstrations took place against a backdrop of heightened concern among refugee communities. Refugees in South Africa fear new attacks as a September 30 deadline approaches, according to CLUB OF MOZAMBIQUE. That deadline was tied to the period in which the protests and shutdown activity were reported.
Separately, news24.com reported that men led a march and protest in Durban against gender-based violence, a distinct event that also drew public attention during the same period.
The Washington Post's headline framed the main demonstrations as protests against illegal immigration in which participants called for additional deportations. The outlet did not provide further detail in the material available.
It remains to be seen how South African authorities respond to the protesters' calls for more deportations and whether the national shutdown produces any policy changes.
