More than 900 arrested during June 30 protests

With placards packed away and business resuming operations in many parts of the country, police say South Africa remains largely stable following Tuesday’s nationwide anti-illegal immigration demonstrations.

The National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) says more than 900 people were arrested during the protests and related law enforcement operations conducted across the country.

Briefing the media on Wednesday, Deputy National Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General, Tebello Mosikili, said 120 marches took place nationwide, of which 108 remained peaceful while 12 required police intervention.

Mosikili said although criminal elements attempted to exploit the demonstrations through looting, public violence and business robberies, police acted swiftly to restore order.

“Those who sought to exploit yesterday’s demonstrations for criminal gain were identified, pursued and brought before the law,” she said.

#sapsHQ [HAPPENING NOW: NATJOINTS MEDIA BRIEFING ON 30 JUNE DEMONSTRATIONS ACROSS SOUTH AFRICA]

The National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (#NATJOINTS) in South Africa Co-Chairpersons #SAPS Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili, and South African National Defence… pic.twitter.com/aSwErNufls

— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) July 1, 2026

The Western Cape recorded the highest number of arrests, with 215, followed by the Eastern Cape (208) and KwaZulu-Natal (153). Gauteng recorded 82 arrests, while Mpumalanga recorded the fewest with seven.

Police said the majority of arrests were for alleged contraventions of the Immigration Act, public violence, looting, business robberies and harbouring undocumented migrants.

In Gauteng, police are investigating the fatal shooting of one person during the alleged looting of a foreign-owned spaza shop.

#sapsGP [SAPS INVESTIGATES MURDER CASE AT ALEXANDRA]

The #SAPS in Alexandra are investigating a case of murder after a person was shot dead on the night of 30 June 2026 at Alexandra.

It is reported that at about 20:00, community members were looting foreign national spaza shops… pic.twitter.com/TBAV3kgmow

— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) July 1, 2026

Mosikili commended organisers and participants who exercised their constitutional right to protest peacefully, adding that law enforcement agencies remain on high alert and will continue operations targeting undocumented migrants and other forms of criminality.

Meanwhile, March and March leader, Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, announced that the organisation plans to stage similar demonstrations every Thursday for the next six months in a bid to pressure the government to strengthen immigration enforcement.

Responding to the announcement, Mosikili said law enforcement would continue to monitor every situation while ensuring that everyone is able to exercise their constitutional right to protest peacefully. 

#ManagingMigration | Government thanks all citizens who exercised their constitutional right to protest peacefully and responsibly during the migration-related demonstrations on Tuesday, 30 June 2026. #GovZAUpdates #CapableState #MigrationSA pic.twitter.com/ZO8Gi3cEvE

— South African Government (@GovernmentZA) July 1, 2026