South Africa braces for June 30: What to expect as anti-immigration protests begin

Multidisciplinary law enforcement officials are preparing for nationwide protests on June 30.

As South Africa braces for the nationwide June 30 anti-illegal immigration protests and shutdown on Tuesday, tensions have reached their highest level in years.

This prompted an unprecedented security response from the government, warnings from civil society, and growing concern among neighbouring countries.

The demonstrations, organised primarily by the March and March movement together with more than 20 allied organisations, have been framed as a campaign against illegal immigration.

However, government and rights groups have sounded the alarm that the movement has already contributed to violence, fear and the displacement of thousands of migrants, including documented foreign nationals.